Grant Robertson
Employment Spokesperson

5 February 2014

New Zealand just half way in OECD jobs rankings

Today’s unemployment figures can’t hide the growing gap between the haves and the have-nots under National, says Labour Employment spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“Today’s figures show that New Zealand is languishing half way down the OECD rankings for unemployment and that wages are stagnating.

“Nowhere is the growing gap between rich and poor more obvious than in the jobs rate for our youth. Unemployment for 15 – 19 year olds has increased by 4000 since National took office.

“No one should be crowing about today’s figures when joblessness is growing for young people.

“Kiwis aren’t getting ahead. Real wages are stagnant and, despite being the fifth fastest growing economy in the OECD, New Zealand is 12th in the OECD for unemployment.

“There are still 41,000 more people unemployed since John Key took office in 2008.

“That’s further proof that the only winners in National’s economy are those who are already rich.

“The economy’s growth is primarily driven by the Christchurch rebuild and high dairy prices, shaky foundations at the very least. And not a recipe for long term job growth,” says Grant Robertson.

ENDS

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