Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

We can – and must – do better for Kiwi jobs

We can – and must – do better for Kiwi jobs

Labour has the plan to get more young New Zealanders into jobs and tackle concerns raised in the latest statistics which show an extra 3000 young Kiwis are neither earning or learning compared to the same time last year, says Labour’s Employment spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“New Zealanders agree that we must provide better employment and training opportunities for young Kiwis, and the latest Household Labour Force Survey shows we have a challenge ahead of us.

“We cannot be happy with 128,000 unemployed and the growing rate of young Kiwis not in employment, education or training (NEETs), of which there are 3,000 more NEETs than this time last year.

“The survey also shows 65 per cent of workers got a pay rise of less than 2 per cent, and 43 per cent of workers got no pay rise at all. This means a sizable cohort of the working public actually went backwards in pay after inflation over the past year.

“New Zealand can – and must – do better, especially for our young people. Labour’s Ready for Work scheme will do better for young Kiwis, providing youth with six months on-the- job training and the skills they need to be work-ready.

“Our Dole for Apprenticeship scheme offers employers who are willing to train an apprentice the equivalent of the unemployment benefit.

“Labour has set a goal to reduce unemployment to four per cent in our first term. Our Three-Years Free policy will provide up to three years of free post-school training or education to all New Zealanders to ensure they’re equipped to tackle the ever-changing job market.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“A Labour Government will be an active partner in the economy to ensure we share prosperity with all New Zealanders. Our Regional Development plan will invest in regional strengths, and Government procurement will favour Kiwi-made products and services.

“Labour’s got the policies to ensure all New Zealanders can enjoy meaningful work, be ready for the challenges of a rapidly-evolving economy, and share in the prosperity that we all deserve,” says Grant Robertson.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.