14 March 2000

MANUFACTURERS FEDERATION SEE COMPETITIVENESS PLACED AT RISK

“The introduction of the Employment Relations Bill today brings a period of uncertainty for industry which places New Zealand’s competitiveness at risk”, says Simon Carlaw, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation.

“Manufacturers have strongly supported the ECA because it has encouraged flexibility in the workplace which has enabled New Zealand manufacturers to be competitive in the global marketplace. Competitiveness produces more jobs. Rigidity means their export.

“Recent research shows that those New Zealand firms who already fully involve staff in decision making processes are more successful than those that don’t. Those that don’t tend to stagnate if not go out of business. By cutting the direct relationship between employers and employees the Government runs the risk of hurting the very people it is trying to protect.”

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