29 January 2007

Maori Party, National hark back to failed 90s policies

The Green Party is disappointed to see the Maori Party joining forces with the National Party to resurrect the failed work for the dole approach of the 90s, the Greens' Industrial Relations Spokesperson Sue Bradford says.

"It has been regrettable to see the work for the dole scheme raising its ugly head again in weekend statements by Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples. Reportedly, National Party leader John Key will also be addressing the issue in his address tomorrow, " Ms Bradford says.

"There is a pincer movement going on. So much for the kinder new face of the National Party - it seems that Mr Key has chosen in his first major address to hark back to the hardline policies of the 1990s, decked out in the language of compassion.

"I'm not surprised National should be once again using the dole as a threat. National's welfare and industrial relations policies have consistently been geared to requiring beneficiaries to accept sub-standard pay and conditions.

" I am particularly disappointed with the Maori Party's reported position though, because they have so far supported policies such as raising the minimum wage. Maori tend to be at the low pay end of the workforce, and hitherto the Maori Party have sought to stand up for the rights of low wage workers.

"However prettily John Key might like to paint the picture, work for the dole means people being forced to go out and work in jobs where in almost all cases they will be being paid below the minimum wage - which is already too low, as the Maori Party has said before - and will not have the right to join a trade union.

"The beneficiary-bashing approach that is inherent to the work for the dole scheme failed in the 90s. It will fail again. I would be happy to talk with the Maori Party about other, positive ways of helping unemployed workers to break out of the cycle of poverty, " Ms Bradford says.

" We need to ensure that Maori unemployed, and other vulnerable people in our community, are not forced to work for the benefit at miserable rates of pay, and without the right to join a trade union."

ENDS

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