Workers support Labours plan to bring unemployment down

The CTU is welcoming today’s announcement from the Labour Party that they will set a target of reducing unemployment to four percent if they are in Government after the next election.

“Workers need jobs and they need a government which is committed to achieving more people in paid work and committed to job creation.” CTU President Helen Kelly said.

“The National Government are about to strip away the rights of workers and bring wages down through the Employment Relations Amendment Bill which is soon to pass its final hurdle in Parliament. Once the law is changed workers in New Zealand will have significantly worse terms and conditions of employment.” Kelly said.

“This policy announcement adds to the distinction between the parties. When voters make their decision who to vote for in September the differences between the major parties is increasing obvious.” Kelly said.

Since 1990, a National Government has never achieved unemployment under 6%, except in the first full quarter after winning power from Labour in 2008.

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