Another dark day for job losses in the regions

The loss of 86 jobs in Shannon comes just two days after 120 jobs were put at risk in Rotorua, highlighting National’s neglect of the regions, Labour’s Employment spokesperson Grant Robertson says.

“The regions are hurting under National. Closing the fellmongery will mean 86 people are looking for a job in Shannon. The cold hard truth is that many of those will have to leave Shannon to find work.

“The saddest part is that’s exactly what Bill English’s advice to them will be. He told the workers at Rotorua’s Tachikawa wood processing plant that they could work in Auckland or Christchurch. He just doesn’t get it.

“It’s very hard to uproot your family to search for a job in Auckland. The Government should try to revitalise the regions, not send their people to the cities.

“Under Labour there will be a clear and detailed regional development plan that gets ahead of these industry changes. We will be more hands on and work with the regions to create the jobs and opportunities needed to keep skilled workers and their families there,” Grant Robertson says.

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