December 12, 2008

Extending fire-at-will bill will freeze labour market

"Extending the fire-at-will bill to all workers will freeze the labour market rather than free it up," says Public Service Association National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

The PSA is alarmed that Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson is saying the Government is open to extending the right for employers to sack workers in the first 90 days of a job, from employers with fewer than 20 workers, to every employer in the country.

"Giving every employer the power to sack staff in the first 90 days of a job, without the worker being able to challenge the dismissal, will be a disaster," says Richard Wagstaff.

"The government claims it would free up the labour market but in reality it would freeze the market because workers will be too nervous to change jobs"

"Currently more than 700,000 workers start a new job every year. Why does the government want to pass legislation that actively discourages these workers from trying to get ahead in their careers and their lives?"

"The message this sends to workers is don't risk selling your house and moving your family to take up a new job because you could be fired and lose everything."

"At a time when we desperately need to give the economy a boost the government wants to put on the handbrake."

"What the government is doing is bad for workers, bad for the economy and will freeze the labour market not free it up," says Richard Wagstaff

ENDS

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