Manukau Businesses More Than Just Employers
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Date: Friday, 16
July 1999
For Manukau businesses this is a fork in the
road election. Take
a wrong turn left and you will face
higher costs, greater restrictions
and more strikes. Take
the right turn and we'll deliver the conditions
so your
business can grow and prosper, Prime Minister Jenny
Shipley
told a Manukau business audience
today.
"Businesses in areas such as Manukau provide
employment, social
wellbeing, and make a valuable
contribution to their communities.
The savings your
businesses have been able to make in recent
years are
directly helping your communities through more
job
creation, and putting more money back into people's
pockets,"
she said.
The Employment Contracts Act has
allowed businesses throughout
the country to create over
600 jobs per week. Strikes cost New
Zealand businesses
over $55m in lost wages in 1990, but in 1998
this was
down to $1.9m.
"A typical manufacturing business, with a
turnover around $2.5
million and facing an interest bill
of around $65,000 per annum,
would be paying over $70,000
more if interest rates were still
at the level they where
in 1989. Cheaper costs like this make
a huge difference
to small and medium businesses.
"Introducing choice in ACC
looks like saving about 20% for employers.
For the
manufacturer I just mentioned, this is almost $3,000
in
savings per year.
"In addition, tax cuts have increased
the take home pay for many
New Zealand families. A couple
with two children on $30,000 a
year, is now around $100
per week better off. For communities
like Manukau,
National has provided more jobs and a better chance
for
families to improve themselves.
"Businesses rely on sound
leadership from government for good
economic performance,
but not every political party is offering
small and
medium businesses such confidence.
"This government has
worked hard to rebuild New Zealand from
the thrashing it
took in the eighties, and we are determined
not to see
those gains taken away from employers.
"This government
seeks the support of employers who want to
retain
improved business conditions. Employers who want
these conditions
need to explain to their workforces the
options their business
faces; backwards with higher costs
and changed markets, or forward
with improved growth and
more jobs," said Mrs
Shipley.
ENDS