No action to be taken against Gloriavale by Labour Inspectorate as workers deemed volunteers

Thursday, 1 October 2020

Former Gloriavale members John Ready, James Harrison and Virginia Courage outside the High Court at Greymouth, where they filed their civil action.

The Labour Inspectorate will not take action against the Gloriavale Christian Community.

The inspectorate and WorkSafe visited the isolated community on the West Coast of the South Island this week over claims some members had been forced to work more than 20 hours a day.

Inspectorate national manager Stu Lumsden said its jurisdiction only applied to employees and employers under the Employment Relations Act, and all members interviewed and the community itself said they were operating in a volunteer or trust structure.

The Gloriavale Christian Community at Haupiri near Moana.

The inspectorate reviewed Gloriavale’s operating model in 2017 and made the same finding. The inspectorate has no jurisdiction over volunteers.

* Gloriavale leaver launches High Court civil proceedings against leaders

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It is calling on current or former members to come forward, so the inspectorate can further assess the status of the workers.

“In all cases under employment law, we need credible witnesses willing to come forward in order for the inspectorate to undertake an investigation into employment status and minimum employment standards breaches,” Lumsden said.

“So far no current members from the community have claimed to be an employee at Gloriavale, despite an earlier proactive inquiry and visiting the community.”

He said the inspectorate would need more information from anyone who is willing to go on the record to talk about employment breaches.

“We are keen to talk to anyone who has had, at any time, firsthand knowledge of the community in this regard. We encourage them to come forward.”

Lumsden said if the inspectorate found evidence those working at Gloriavale were employees, they would look at whether further action was appropriate.

A police spokeswoman said on Thursday police had not made any arrests at Gloriavale .

On Wednesday, a WorkSafe spokeswoman said WorkSafe had not laid any charges against Gloriavale.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Andrew Little asked officials to visit Gloriavale on the West Coast of the South Island along with WorkSafe staff on Monday.

The Labour Inspectorate is a regulator that enforces and monitors minimum employment standards.

Newshub reported last week two community members complained about long work days, overseen by “controlling” community leaders known as “shepherds”.

Former member John Ready last week filed civil proceedings seeking the removal of Gloriavale trustees for alleged poor conduct, mismanagement and dereliction of duty.

In July, Gloriavale leavers called on Charities Services to reinvestigate Gloriavale, alleging abuse, mismanagement and a raft of other concerns. Charities Services investigated Gloriavale in 2015.