Speaking to the Otago Daily Times from Wellington, Mr Little was concerned the Government was trying to push through controversial changes to the law before Labour Weekend, the traditional celebration of workers.
''How cynical that on the eve of Labour Weekend, the National Government is pushing through legislation that takes away the statutory right to tea and meal breaks along with collective protections and makes vulnerable workers' jobs even less secure.''
Under changes to clause 44 of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, due back in the House last night, the vast majority of non-unionised workers would lose minimum entitlements to their meal and rest breaks, he said.
The Human Rights Commission had pointed out the proposed changes were inconsistent with New Zealand's international obligations.
At a time when a growing number of people could not get pay rises, and the real value of wages for many was dropping, measures were needed to improve wages and conditions, not make them worse.
One of the contentious issues in the Bill was the changes to part 6A and the need for some employers to retain vulnerable workers.
Mr Little understood there had been some watering down of the Bill to require only employers with more than 25 workers to take on vulnerable workers from a previous contract - such as cleaning - and employers with fewer than 25 staff would be exempt.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse, who inherited the Bill from former labour minister Simon Bridges, could not be reached for comment.
CrestClean managing director Grant McLauchlan, of Dunedin, has been an active campaigner to remove part 6A from the Bill but he did not wish to comment yesterday when contacted.
