David
Shearer
Labour Leader

18 October 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
David Shearer: Jobs that work for you

Labour will take concrete steps to ensure that employers are working harder to give Kiwis access to decent jobs and will ensure New Zealanders get the skills they need to participate in the workforce.

“Labour stands for jobs and opportunities. John Key is taking us down a path to fewer jobs, lower wages and our young people looking for better opportunities in Australia. I won’t settle for that. I won’t accept second best. Under my leadership, Labour will take an active role in creating better jobs and higher incomes.”

The Christchurch rebuild is a chance to provide Kiwis with decent jobs and equip our young people with world-class skills, said Labour Leader David Shearer.

“It’s estimated that 30,000 workers will be needed for the rebuild – half are likely to come from overseas. Migrant labour is an important part of our economy, but given there are 162,000 Kiwis looking for work, we must give them priority.

“That’s why Labour will raise the threshold so businesses prove they’ve engaged with Work and Income and Industry Training Organisations to give Kiwis the first crack at jobs before bringing in overseas workers.

“Immigration NZ will also have to consider the competitive impacts, particularly on wages and conditions when it considers granting approval to bring in temporary workers.”

Labour will also increase training opportunities for Kiwis by:
• Putting a ‘one in a million’ condition on companies that secure significant Government contracts to take on one apprentice for every $1million of investment
• Including a training requirement on employers bringing in migrant labour where appropriate
• Paying employers the equivalent of the dole if they’re prepared to take on an unemployed person as an apprentice
“New Zealanders want to work. They’re crying out for opportunities. But they’re disappointed that under John Key, too many Kiwis are out of work, struggling on low wages or heading to Australia.

“I won’t accept that. I will lead from the front because I’m proud of our country and I’m prepared to back our workers, our businesses and communities,” said David Shearer.

ENDS

Factsheet__Making_the_most_of_opportunities.pdf

Factsheet__Giving_Kiwi_Businesses_a_Fair_Go.pdf

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