Source: Radio New Zealand
The cost of fuel has risen sharply in the past month. 123RF
Workers First Union has asked banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions to do more to help staff struggling with the cost of commuting.
The cost of fuel has risen sharply in the past month, as war in the Middle East pushes up the price of oil.
According to fuel price monitoring app Gaspy, 91 is up more than $1 a litre in the last 28 days, to an average $3.39.
Diesel is up $1.61 to $3.29 and 95 up $1.07 to $3.59.
Workers First national organiser for finance Callum Francis said people were spending an increasing portion of their wages just on travelling to and from work.
He called for the organisations to suspend attendance requirements, offer work-from-home where possible and to subsidise transport for those who had to be on site.
“Finance workers offer care and consideration to customers every single day,” he said.
“We’re asking their employers to offer them the same. This is no longer a nice-to-have – it is becoming a necessity.”
Francis said it was similar to the Covid-19 pandemic, when many organisations quickly adapted to allow staff to work from home.
“Businesses showed during Covid that they could act quickly and pragmatically when workers needed them to. We’re asking for that same approach now,” he said.
“Billion-dollar institutions like banks and insurance providers can and should provide relief and convenience to their workers whenever it’s possible – especially during a crisis.”
The banks have been approached for comment.
Earlier, the Public Service Association said the government should allow public service staff to work from home to save on fuel costs.
Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/26/union-calls-for-banks-to-let-staff-work-from-home/