E tū critical of Thai contract for Sky City CC steel work

E tū critical of Thai contract for Sky City Convention Centre steel work

E tū Industry Co-ordinator, Joe Gallagher is urging greater protection for local jobs, after it emerged half the steel framing work on the SkyCity Convention Centre will be done in Thailand.

Radio New Zealand has reported the work, which equates to about 100 full-time skilled welding jobs for 12-18 months, has been awarded to a Thai-based US-owned company.

Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce touted the 1000 construction jobs the project would create, when he announced the project three years ago.

Joe Gallagher says, “It’s a disgrace that this work has been allowed to go overseas when local companies and workers could do the job.

“There is no protection for local industry and local jobs on a big project like this and there should be.”

Joe Gallagher says the loss of the diverse jobs in manufacturing was symptomatic of a government which promoted a “one-trick pony economy. Dairy is tanking. We need to spread our bets in an economic sense.”

He has also criticised the removal of tariffs on steel and other products in 2014, which he says has cost jobs and business for local people.

He says New Zealand is the only OECD country without tariffs on steel.

ENDS

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