Kiwis Say Keep The ECA

Monday, 5 July 1999, 9:36 am
Press Release: Employers Federation

Media Release

Employers Federation

Sunday 4 July 1999

New Zealanders like their jobs, their employers, their pay their jobs conditions and security. What’s more they want to keep it that way and that means keeping the ECA.

Respected independent research company AC Nielsen commissioned by the Employer’s Federation, interviewed 1000 people from across New Zealand by telephone. The survey told us several things.

Firstly, that New Zealanders highest priority is to continue creating more jobs. New Zealanders support the Employment Contracts Act - it supports jobs. Some politicians told us that the ECA is bad and that they want to repeal it. AC Nelson asked New Zealanders their views, and surprise surprise, they were different from those politicians. At least 66% of voters are not looking for change.

Most people want to negotiate with their employer themselves. They don’t want it be told who will represent them. They are confident enough to do their own thing.

And most people are happy with their jobs.

The Federation this month has printed and distributed a brochure which outlines some survey results.

The key question is - why change? Why are some political parties threatening to repeal an Act when most New Zealanders are content with it. If it’s not broken ,don’t fix it. The most important issue is jobs and that means keeping the Employment Contracts Act.

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