CTU MEDIA RELEASE
30 January 2007

Skills Training and Decent Work The Priority - Not Work For The Dole

"Skills training and access to decent, quality work for all is a more pressing issue than punitive schemes such as work for the dole," CTU Vice President Maori Sharon Clair said today.

"Even though unemployment benefit numbers are down to 39,000 compared with 160,000 in 1999 there are still disparities, such as Maori and young workers, and we agree that the Maori Party are right to raise these disparities. We are also concerned but see different solutions."

"New Zealand has moved on from unsuccessful schemes like work for the dole," she said.

"Developing workers' skills and potential is a better way to approach disparity facing Maori workers, rather than going back to a punitive scheme which is exploitative of beneficiaries and sees them "working" for much less than minimum wage."

"Unions are already working actively in the area of skills development, and we have a big project in progress this year around Maori workforce development arising out of Hui Taumata."

"With unemployment as low as it is now, the opportunity exists for intensive and active case management to make specific investments in people to improve their access to employment."

"The CTU supports schemes such as Rangatahi Maia, Taskforce Green and initiatives through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs as better ways to address economic and social disparity," Sharon Clair said.

ENDS