PSA MEDIA RELEASE

July 24, 2008

National Offers Workers Less Job Security And The Chance To Sell Their Holidays

"As the economy slows and prices rise National has delivered an employment policy that reduces job security and allows workers to sell their holidays to help make ends meet," says Public Services Association National Secretary, Richard Wagstaff.

National leader John Key has today released his party's employment and workplace relations policy.

"John Key says nothing about how National will lift wages as workers face rising fuel and food prices," says Richard Wagstaff.

"The only help the policy provides workers, who are struggling to pay their bills, is allowing them to cash-in a week of their annual leave."

"It's short-sighted and dangerous to allow workers who under pressure to jeopardise their health by selling their holidays."

"And as the economy slows and the job market tightens National wants to reduce job security with a new version of its policy of allowing employers to sack staff during their first 90 days in a new job with workers being unable to challenge the dismissal."

Richard Wagstaff says John Key is also silent on his party's plans to privatise workplace accident compensation, which global finance company, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, has said will make accident compensation more expensive.

"With increasing fuel and food prices, families need help making ends meet. But National has no policy on worker's pay such as minimum wage rates," says Richard Wagstaff.

"It's our fear that the lack of policy on paid parental leave and pay equity for women will lead to an erosion of worker's entitlements in these areas"

"Women workers in particular are at risk if pay equity and paid parental leave are undermined."

"That's a real concern because women are most at risk from the cuts in public services that National will have to make to pay for tax cuts larger than those delivered by The Budget," says Richard Wagstaff.

ENDS

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