11 August 2004

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

New boy’s policy is to axe Four Weeks Leave

Today's ANZ Bank Job Ads report highlights how social gains like four weeks annual leave for workers also benefit the economy as a whole, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.

But National's new finance spokesperson John Key promises that if a National-led government wins next year's election it will revoke Matt Robson's Four Weeks Leave legislation enacted late last year and due to take effect in 2007.

"Employers up and down the country are having to cope with operating in a country that now has the second lowest unemployment rate in the OECD group of rich nations. The demand for labour is extraordinarily high and business people say the labour shortage is acting to constrain their full growth potential," Matt Robson said.

"Four Weeks Annual Leave means that working people with children are better financially able to stay inside of the workforce and outside of the welfare system. That benefits not only those families, but also employers and the economy as a whole," the Progressive MP said.

There is already evidence that the absence of good leave provisions hurts jobs and families: New Zealand has a low employment participation rate for mothers in part because of our historic lack of paid parental leave and low levels of annual leave.

ANZ reported today that newspaper job advertising levels increased by 3.4 percent in July from June to stand 10.1 percent above the level of a year earlier. It was reported yesterday that there was a 0.9% surge in employment in the June Quarter and a fall in the unemployment rate to 4.0%, the lowest rate in 17 years, while the Maori unemployment rate is at its lowest level ever recorded.

ENDS

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