Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association

In 2009 VUWSA revived Students as Workers Week as one of its central campaigns. Last held in 2005, Students as Workers Week is devoted to raising student awareness of issues relating to their rights in the workplace.

According to the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) 2007 Student Income and Expenditure survey, 90% of students engage in paid work while they study. Working largely in retail, hospitality and food service, students unaware of their employment rights are exposed to considerable risk due to the fluidity of part-time positions and the low wages typical in these industries.

During Students as Workers Week VUWSA hosts various events such as seminars informing students of their employment rights, debating whether certain rights should be guarenteed, quiz nights, seminars and other themed activities.

In 2009 VUWSA hosted several debates and public forums, with guests including MPs Trevor Mallard, John Boscawen and Sue Bradford, politician and trade union activist Don Franks, CTU President Peter Conway and EPMU President Andrew Little.