Turia thrilled that Otaki Factory Workers to be supported

Monday 8 May 2006

Tariana Turia, Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauauru

Member for Te Tai Hauauru, Tariana Turia, today congratulated John Cribb, the Manager of Otaki company, Pacific Plastics Recycling, for his advocacy on behalf of his workers, after Work and Income back-tracked on a previous offer to help.

“When the Pacific Plastics Recyclers factory was destroyed by fire in January, the 35 staff, the majority of whom are Maori, were told they would keep their jobs” said Mrs Turia.

“Yet two weeks later, up to 27 of the staff were told they would lose them, creating huge trauma for the families involved. “I took up the matter of the flip-flop attitudes of WINZ staff in Parliament on 16th February, and asked the Minister of Social Development and Employment to respond to the desperate need of this community.”

“Today’s announcement that Taskforce Green Funding has been made available for the staff is a huge tribute to the dedication of John Cribb in making sure the workers of Otaki are not overlooked.”

“I want to also thank the Minister of Social Development and Employment for giving this issue the serious consideration he said he would, and Darren Hughes for his advocacy as Otaki MP” concluded Mrs Turia. “This case is a very good example of cross-party support within an electorate”.

ENDS

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