The latest job market statistics show that unemployed people are being failed by a Government more focused on punishing the poor than creating jobs.

“This Government for the rich is failing unemployed people and fuelling poverty,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March.

“The economy belongs to us, we can build it for us. We can ensure people have stable employment and incomes instead of slashing jobs and cutting back on support for those trying to find work.

“The Ministry of Social Development has recently admitted their frontline capacity is oversubscribed and unable to properly support people due to the punitive sanctions regime the Government has brought in.

“There’s no evidence that sanctions work in helping people into jobs, and it’s clear the Government has no plan for supporting those who are struggling the most.

“As the unemployment rate rises, the Government is preparing an austerity Budget and rushing through legislation to stop pay equity claims, while also passing new laws to create more arbitrary sanctions on beneficiaries.

“All of this is part of the plan to fund tax cuts for the rich and profit from the poverty growing in our communities.

“The Green Party will repeal all benefit sanctions and lift income support to ensure unemployed people are supported to find work. We will build an economy that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few. We look forward to sharing this vision with Aotearoa soon with our Green Budget,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

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