3rd November 2008

Employment survey shows need for strong leadership

Today’s Quarterly Employment Survey again reminds New Zealand why we need a leader that can be trusted, Social Development Spokesperson Ruth Dyson said today.

“The survey showed while annual earnings growth remained strong, the growth in demand for labour slowed. Employment increased 1.6 percent for the year to September 2008. This is the smallest annual increase since March 2007.

The Quarterly Employment Survey measures changes in and levels of average hourly and average weekly (pre-tax) earnings, average weekly paid hours, and the number of filled jobs.

“Labour believes that the highest priority at this stage of the economic cycle should be sustaining and creating jobs” said Ruth Dyson.

“Treasury projections suggest that, if no action is taken, over the next two years unemployment could increase to over 5 per cent. While this is still below the levels of unemployment we inherited from National in 1999, it is higher than Labour is comfortable with.”

This is why Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday outlined Labour’s comprehensive plan to promote and protect Kiwi jobs during the international downturn.

At a time when domestic and international demand is falling, the government has the ability to bring forward spending plans which can give a boost to employment and can better prepare the economy to take advantage of the upswing when it arrives.

“The Quarterly Employment Survey is another reminder that this is a time for strong and steady government. This is not a time to trust in the unknown” said Ruth Dyson.

ENDS

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