Peters' Immigration Hysteria Does Not Assist Rational Debate

“Unions have always taken a stand against the politics of prejudice and the CTU supports the actions of the Service and Food Workers Union,” Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

Winston Peters has accused the SFWU of politicking stop politicking and protect its members after the union raised its concerns about his weekend comments with the Human Rights Commission.

“The SFWU have received complaints from numerous members expressing their extreme discomfit and fear at his comments," said Ross Wilson.

Ross Wilson said it was as much the role of a union to defend its members against an unjustified political attack by a politician, as it was to provide other advocacy and protection.

“If Mr Peters was genuinely concerned about the labour market implications of current immigration policies he would be addressing those specifically,” he said.

“His generalised attacks on immigrants are an irresponsible attempt to make political gain out of people’s fears and concerns, and foment political opposition as right wing politicians have done in other countries.”

Ross Wilson said the CTU would welcome serious discussions with political parties about labour market issues, and how they relate to immigration policies.

“But Mr Peters seems only interested in rhetoric,” he said.

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