RNZ: Employment ruling: Ex-Gloriavale member hopes state investigates further
| RNZ |
A former Gloriavale member who won a legal victory after being used as child labour says he hopes state agencies will investigate further.
They worked regularly and for long hours, under strict control, primarily for the benefit of Gloriavale’s commercial businesses.
Chief Judge Inglis found the work they did between the ages of six and 14 could not be described as “chores” because of the commercial nature of the tasks, they were carried out over an extended period of time and these were “strenuous, difficult and sometimes dangerous”.
Judge Inglis will rule on the question of compensation later.
Workplace safety regulator Worksafe would soon visit the Gloriavale Christian community as a result of the Employment Court ruling, Workplace Minister Michael Wood said.
Staff would examine whether workplace standards were being adhered to, he said.
The charities regulator has also opened an investigation into Gloriavale’s Christian Church Community Trust as a result of the court’s judgement.
One of those child employees, Daniel Pilgrim, told Morning Report that it was a “mind-blowing” legal victory.
“On every point we argued, we won. So that was pretty huge.
Further reading and audio: Ex-Gloriavale member hopes state investigates further