June 6, 2007

Closures highlight need for policy - EPMU

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union is once again calling for a new approach to manufacturing policy in New Zealand after the closure of Skellerup in Christchurch and Amcor Flexibles' East Tamaki plant.

Between them the closures will mean the loss of around one hundred and forty skilled jobs.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says ongoing job losses risk doing serious long-term damage to New Zealand's manufacturing sector.

"We're seeing sites close on a weekly basis now and yet the government is still not moving to help manufacturing.

"There seems to be a mindset that the only industries that matter in New Zealand are agriculture and tourism, but more than a quarter of a million Kiwi workers pay their bills and feed their families from jobs in manufacturing. It's not good enough to just stand by and watch this sector collapse.

"It seems the urgency that was felt after Fisher and Paykel closed has dissipated but the problem is still here and it's getting worse. At the very least we'd like to see some movement on the inquiry into monetary policy and its impact on export manufacturing."

The EPMU has previously pushed the government to implement twelve key recommendations including developing manufacturing expertise in the form of a Minister for Manufacturing.

ENDS

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