Kiwisaver: “No, yes, maybe?” isn’t good enough – EPMU

National is playing a dangerous game with New Zealanders’ futures by refusing to front on its plans for Kiwisaver contributions says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

The call follows National Party employment spokesperson Kate Wilkinson’s announcement, and then retraction, of a plan to cut employer contributions to the scheme and party leader John Key’s later claim there will be contributions but refusal to state what they will be.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says National is toying with people’s futures.

“In the space of a few hours the National Party has offered a ‘no, yes, maybe’ on this issue and when working people are making long-term decisions about their retirement this is absurd.

“Kiwis are trying to make a long-term investment in which even a percent here or there can mean many tens of thousands of dollars when they retire and that’s money National is putting at risk.

“Many of our members are signed up to Kiwisaver and they will not be happy to hear that the best explanation National can offer is that they may offer something ‘pretty similar’ to the current contribution.”

The EPMU represents 50,000 New Zealand workers across 11 industries and has campaigned industrially and politically for employer contributions to Kiwisaver.

ENDS

© Scoop Media