While we Kiwis celebrate Labour Day with the extended weekend, spare a thought for those ancestors who fought hard to claim the right for an 8-hour working day.

Falling on the forth Monday of October, the annual public holiday means schools, government offices, and many businesses are closed with many making the most of the extended break in what signals that summer is fast approaching.

Photo: File.

Tauranga MP and former Minister of Labour Simon Bridges says today is important in terms of remembrance for the workers movement and the necessity to have strong minimum employment standards.

Such employment standards ensure suitable work conditions and strong health and safety is offered to all workers.

The day's origins are traced back to the eight-hour working day movement in the 19th century that arose because of carpenter Samuel Parnell's refusal to work more than eight hours a day back in 1840.

First celebrated in New Zealand on October 28, 1890, the holiday sees people make the most of the three days with trips away in what is the first public holiday to break the holiday drought beginning after the Queen's Birthday in June.

Simon says there is plenty of political argument based on workers rights, including workplace reforms currently before parliament, but says New Zealand is a strong nation when it comes to employee relations.

'New Zealand can be pretty proud of its history in this area and our strong standards to minimise the exploitation of workers."

Tomorrow the Government's Employment Relations Amendment Bill heads for its third and final reading seeking changes to clauses 43 and 46 of the bill – the rules that govern rules for employees' entitlements to rest and meal breaks.

The current provision requires employers to provide the employee break and meal times. In a typical working eight hour day these are two 10 minute paid breaks and 30 minutes unpaid meal time.

The new change will see employees still entitled to those beaks but they may be subject to restrictions by the employer.

It will also do away with any prescribed timing for the breaks and says it's up to the employer and employee to negotiate their duration.

Labour Leadership candidate Grant Robertson says Labour Day is an important reminder of the hard work done by workers and unions to give everyone the chance for fair pay, good conditions and safety at work.

He is making a re-commitment to ensuring all working New Zealanders get a fair deal at work.

"These are basic rights that have only come about because people have stood up and fought for them, and today is a great day to say thanks to all those who have been part of that movement."

"This year it is particularly important as the National government pushes through changes to take away guaranteed meals breaks, remove protections for workers when the contractor they work for changes and undermines collective bargaining, including in big agreements for teachers and nurses."

The Cabinet papers make it clear these measures will allow employers to lower wage rates at a time when many workers are struggling to make ends meet, says Grant.

'Working New Zealanders deserve better than that from their government.”