9,467 cards support 4 weeks leave Bill, more coming as hearings begin at select committee.

The Four Weeks Leave select committee hearings started today with Hon Matt Robson, Progressive Deputy Leader's briefing to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.

"I am proud to present my briefing on four weeks leave with the support of 9,467 postcards sent back from supporters all over the country. More come in every day.

"It is time this nation caught up with all the other developed nations around the world who have four weeks leave already. People we trade with, people who we compete with to retain our skilled workforce.

"Even Australia has had four weeks leave ahead of us, as well as all the countries of the European Union (many of which have 5 and 6 weeks minimum annual leave).

"That means countries like the UK, Australia, Germany, France, Italy France, Sweden and Japan (and more) treat their most vulnerable workers better than we do when it comes to annual leave. Workers in those countries are better able to get the rest and recuperation they need to maintain a healthy balance between work and life.

"That means families in those countries are better able to care for children, parents are more able to take time to look after them during school holidays and spend time as a family together over Christmas.

"Many hard working New Zealanders are not able to spend their holidays together because they only have 3 weeks leave each yet school children get 10 weeks holidays on top of statutory days off. Yet these New Zealanders, usually the lowest paid, also have contributed to New Zealand's strong economic performance of recent years.

"It is 30 years on from when New Zealanders first had 3 weeks minimum annual leave. The time has come to join the rest of the developed world and treat our most vulnerable workers with the same care and concern our trading partners do," said Matt Robson MP.

Submission/briefing on four weeks available from Matt Robson's office: ph 470 6655. Fact file on four weeks leave available at: http://www.progressive.org.nz/media/otherdocs/4-weeks-fact-file.htm

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