AUCKLAND ACTION AGAINST POVERTY
Media release Thursday 7 February 2013

Unemployment Figures Highlight Ongoing Crisis

While the Government is likely to boast about the slight drop in unemployment, these figures are nothing of which to be proud, says Auckland Action Against Poverty Spokesperson Sarah Thompson.

“There are 163,000 people officially unemployed and 284,500 jobless. This is a crisis for all affected, a crisis that's increasing daily – as seen by the announcement today of the Mainzeal closure.

“If it wasn't for the large numbers of people leaving for Australia and elsewhere overseas to look for work, the figures would be a lot worse.

“Yet, it is within this context that Paula Bennett continues to punish beneficiaries for failing to find work.

“These latest figures go to show that Bennett's recent welfare changes should be rescinded immediately.

“Making life hell for sole parents, the sick, injured and disabled, forcing them to chase non existent jobs or lose their benefit is pointless and damaging of the very people Work & Income should be there to help.

“Statistics like this will be the legacy of this National government unless they commit immediately to decent job creation rather than job destruction, a living wage and higher benefit payment rates.”

ENDS

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