Governments own statistics show no leadership on jobs

Workers are concerned with the Labour Market figures, released today by Statistics New Zealand, which show that the Government isn’t doing enough to create jobs for New Zealanders.

CTU Secretary, Sam Huggard; “Real action to create jobs is needed. Too many kiwis are not finding work and many are struggling to find enough work. Over 100,000 people are underemployed and are actively seeking more hours of work, these workers are facing the harsh reality of casual work and zero hours.”

“In the last few months the average wage hasn’t increased at all! And over 40% of workers haven’t had a pay rise, the Government has to be joking if they think this is what a rockstar economy looks like.”

“The Government has an absolute role in lifting wages. Those employed by the Government in the public sector have had unacceptable wage increases and are due a catch up. Lifting the minimum wage, fixing migration so that it’s not used to hold wages down, and not putting more and more barriers in the way of collective bargaining are all things that will help lift wages in the private sector,” Huggard said.

ENDS

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