30 July 2008
Telecom Farms More Jobs Off Overseas
New Zealand First has expressed concern at reports that yet another large company is to move hundreds of Kiwi jobs
overseas and fears that this trend shows no signs of abating.
Economic development spokesperson Doug Woolerton says that foreign-owned companies will continue to gouge profits at the
expense of the livelihoods of New Zealand families and that Telecom has been one of the worst such companies in this
country for decades.
His comments follow a media report today which details Telecom’s plan to move more of its call centre functions to the
Philippines at the expense of more than 1500 jobs.
“Telecom has been treating this country with disdain for a long time now and this latest kick in the guts unfortunately
comes as no surprise.
“As if years of poor customer service and a disgraceful lack of investment at the expense of our economy weren’t bad
enough, Telecom is yet again hitting New Zealanders where it hurts.
“Telecom is the latest in a long line of foreign-owned companies which have presided over a torrent of jobs being farmed
off overseas.
“It is difficult to see how entering into free trade agreements with low wage economies is going to do anything but
accelerate this process. Unfortunately blind ideology continues to reign supreme at the expense of Kiwi jobs,” said Mr
Woolerton.
ENDS