CTU Media Release

18 October 2012

Labour Puts Forward Practical Policies On Jobs

Labour leader David Shearer has outlined a number of policies to support decent jobs in a speech in Christchurch today.

Peter Conway, Secretary of the Council of Trade Unions, says “there are some good suggestions on government procurement and a boost for apprenticeships. Training our young people who are currently out of work is a much more productive policy to address our high youth unemployment than cutting their wages. We would welcome a stronger requirement on Government to go the extra distance to support local suppliers for major contracts and to leverage training.”

Peter Conway said that the proposal to require a more thorough labour market test before an employer can engage migrants instead of Kiwi workers is sensible.

“The CTU believes every effort should be made to place Kiwis in jobs before migrants are employed. But once migrant workers are here, they must be treated fairly.”

“There is increasing concern that the combined effect of low wages, lack of investment in training and loss of workers to Australia is increasing employer demand for migrant workers and putting further downward pressure on wages.”

Peter Conway said “the union movement supports decent jobs and a living wage and we are encouraging all political parties to consider policies that can achieve those aims.”

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www.union.org.nz

ENDS

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