Government's labour law reform motives under question

The Government's motives around future labour law reform are under question.

Signals have been sent previously that amendments to the Employment Relations Act are on the cards.

Newstalk ZB has been seeking official papers regarding Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson's work, and one document being withheld specifically covers the section of the Act that focuses on flexible working arrangements.

Labour MP Darien Fenton says the Government's signalled it wants to extend them to all workers and she's worried about what it might mean.

"We've seen with the port dispute two views of flexibility, flexibility could be a good thing or it can be a bad thing, it has to work in the interests of both parties.

"Flexibility is a dirty word for many workers."

It's also emerged potential changes may be pending for employees who are affected by restructuring.

The Department of Labour's hired a firm of consultants for $50,000 to do a cost benefit analysis on current arrangements which require work to be provided for existing staff in such situations.

The Department says the timing of the project and demands on its analysts are why their work is being outsourced.

Labour MP Chris Hipkins is furious at the move.

"A review of an Act such as the Employment Relations Act is a core Government function, I think it's absolutely outrageous that they're bringing somebody in from outside to do what should be a core responsibility of the department."

Mr Hipkins blames it on the Government's cuts to public sector staff and predicts it'll happen more often as departments struggle to fulfil their core responsibilities.