Media release November 27th, 2000

Too early to tell impacts of employment law

The last thing we need is a flare up of unhelpful rhetoric between unions and employers over who was right or wrong about the Employment Relations Act, says the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern).

"We say that now, just six weeks after the complex new law was enacted, it is far too soon to say that all is well with it or what long term issues will arise," said Peter Tritt, EMA's Manager of Employment Relations.

"The honeymoon period is not yet over; unions are thankfully exercising restraint.

"Besides, the compliance costs involved with the ERA have not been counted and there is no telling yet what their effects will be on long term employment prospects.

"In addition the ERA has contributed to the delay in our export recovery with investment held back.

"A favourable exchange rate for exporters, and global trading conditions have persisted all year, so it is more than a coincidence that investor confidence has started to return when the make over of the employment law was completed and business had had time to adjust to its implications."

Further comments: Peter Tritt tel 09 367 0921 (bus) 09 845 5532 (hme) 025 796 807

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