The Employment Court has ruled the Overseeing Shepherd at Gloriavale was the employer of six women fighting for workers' rights, which could pave the way for financial compensation.
Chief Judge Christina Inglis said the evidence pointed squarely to the Overseeing Shepherd, at any particular point in time, being the ultimate controlling force within the Community.
She said her decision relates to the role, not a specific individual who held that role at any particular time. The current Overseeing Shepherd is Howard Temple.
The Employment Court has ruled the Overseeing Shepherd at Gloriavale was the employer of six women fighting for workers' rights. (Source: 1News)
Gloriavale’s leadership had argued that when an Overseeing Shepherd dies, any claim related to the time that person was in charge, could not be pursued.
In July, the Court found Serenity Pilgrim, Anna Courage, Rose Standtrue, Crystal Loyal, Pearl Valor and Virginia Courage were employees and not volunteers while living and working at the West Coast commune.
In her judgment, Inglis stated that the women had been raised from a young age to work in "deliberately-gendered roles including cooking, cleaning and washing clothes" and that they were born into and kept in "servitude".
“While it is true that the Shepherds play an important role, including in relation to work undertaken within the Community, by whom and when, they are not the ones who ultimately pull the strings.
“The ultimate string-pulling function, and entitlement to do so by virtue of the Community’s foundational documents, sits firmly with the Overseeing Shepherd,” said Judge Inglis.
Barrister Brian Henry, who leads the legal team representing the former Gloriavale members, said Chief Judge Inglis is very clear in her decision that it is the role of the Overseeing Shepherd not the individual which carried the ultimate responsibility within the community.
“We are pleased to now have the clarity needed to move forward.
“The decision by Chief Judge Inglis paves the way for us to continue the fight for justice for our clients which includes filing in the courts against the Labour Inspectorate and seeking financial redress for loss of wages and compensation for the terrible breaches of law and appalling treatment these women have had to endure.”
Henry said he expects the defendants to appeal the decision.
“Gloriavale is a large, well-oiled machine worth around $65m and in possession of significant assets. There are 65 million reasons to keep fighting this to achieve the justice these and many other former Gloriavale victims, are entitled to,” said Henry.
Gloriavale has been approached for comment.
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