Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Latest unemployment stats show risk of a jobless recovery

National Distribution Union
Thursday 3 February, 2011.

Latest unemployment stats show risk of a jobless recovery

New Zealand is at risk of having a jobless economic recovery, the National Distribution Union warned today.

Latest jobs statistics show unemployment has risen to 6.8 per cent in the December quarter.

“Despite recent upbeat noises from forecasters and economists, there are still 158,000 New Zealand workers officially unemployed.”

“Yes, there are some signs of a recovery Commodity prices are up, but that increases costs for New Zealand consumers as well.”

“But there is a real risk that as farmers pay down debt, consumers hold off on spending and firms avoid taking on new staff – many jobs lost in the recession will not be replaced.”

"The New Zealand economy needs more stimulus measures to ensure that job growth occurs.”

“An increase in the minimum wage to $15 needs to be a core part of that stimulus.”

“So too does ensuring New Zealand timber and textiles are used in Canterbury reconstruction work, Job Support Schemes are brought back for sectors facing redundancies such as wood processing, and a new approach to monetary policy to help keep jobs in the export sector.”

“Nearly two years on from the Prime Minister’s Jobs Summit, we need to see some real action from government on keeping New Zealand workers in jobs. By sitting on the sidelines the Government is contributing to unemployment levels remaining high,” Robert Reid said.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.