05 July 2005
OECD critical of Labour's welfare wagon
National's Welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins, says the latest OECD report is critical of Labour's welfare wagon, which
many are getting on but few are getting off.
The report says:
"...Beneficiary numbers are discouragingly high, considering that the country has been experiencing widespread labour
shortages and the macroeconomic environment remains highly favourable for people wishing to take up work."
"This is what National has been saying for months. Now even the OECD agrees that welfare dependency is a major problem
in New Zealand," says Ms Collins.
"Thousands of jobs are available, but Labour makes it far too easy for people to stay on a benefit, and far too
difficult to get off it."
The report also recommends: "Providing greater encouragement and assistance to beneficiaries to shift from public income
support back into paid work where they are capable of it. For sole parents, a clear expectation of return to work once
the youngest child starts school would not only reduce benefit dependency and increase labour supply, it would also help
to lift children out of poverty."
"This is National's welfare policy almost down to the letter. We will require DPB recipients to undertake part-time
employment, retraining or community service from the time their youngest child reaches school age.
"Only National can be trusted to provide clear incentives, backed up by enforceable expectations, for beneficiaries to
move into the workforce," says Ms Collins.
ENDS