Annette
KING
Deputy Leader

3 November 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
157,000 people out of work and National does nothing

The fact that there are now 157,000 Kiwis out of work shows National is doing nothing to create jobs, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King says.

“Paula Bennett and John Key this week made a big song and dance about welfare reform, but in reality have done nothing about getting Kiwis working,” Annette King said.

“Kiwis want to work, supermarkets and other businesses have reported that they are getting hundreds of people applying for jobs when they are advertised, unfortunately the jobs just aren’t there for them all.

“John Key and Paula Bennett’s welfare announcement is words not action.

“Where are the 170,000 jobs promised in 2010 and again 2011?

“Businesses are continuing to lay off staff, people who want work are struggling and they are getting no help from the Government.

“National has done nothing for three years on job creation or on real skills training. Instead this week we saw it concentrating on changing the names of benefits telling New Zealanders this would miraculously result in 46,000 people coming off benefits.

“While Paula Bennett crows about extra jobs created in three years she overlooks the increases in the working age population in that time. The real picture is there are 156,000 more people in working population while the actual number employed have gone up by only 9000.

“Numerous highly regarded organisations have told the Government what is needed, is wrap-around services, including, childcare, intensive case management, training and job opportunities. These elements are in Labour’s Social Development policy.

“Labour will get young people off the dole, for example by getting them into apprenticeships and work by transferring the dole payment to an employer. This is a practical step that will work.

“Welfare reform should be about getting people working,” Annette King said.

ENDS

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