The Council of Trade Unions is welcoming today's announcement from the Minister of Finance to provide individualised
targeted financial support for working people who have been made redundant by their employers as a direct result of
COVID-19.
"The Government is showing how nimble and responsive they can be to meet the needs of our community. We support this
initiative to really make sure that those Kiwis who are out of work are actively assisted to find new work while being
financially secure," CTU President Richard Wagstaff said.
"We are pleased that the Minister of Finance has made it very clear that the option of social insurance is being
explored more deeply. Of course we believe that some of the models that Scandinavian countries have deployed go further
and deeper," Wagstaff said,
The COVID income relief payment will last for 12 weeks. People who are receiving this benefit are expected to be looking
for work or undertaking training.