Job losses devastating for Timaru – Labour
“Our worst fear has been confirmed, this closure will leave up to 600 people out of work. Sometimes several members of the same family work in this plant – and this is distressing news for all of them and our community,” Labour MP based in Rangitata Jo Luxton said.
“These workers contribute to the local economy and businesses, and many have family nearby. Now many of them will have potentially have to leave our community in search of work,” Jo Luxton said.
This is the latest major employer to close in New Zealand, following hundreds of other manufacturing job losses in the North Island.
“We are seeing rising unemployment as the government ignores the plight of workers,” Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich said.
“Even through the global economic shock of the pandemic, Labour supported workers and businesses to keep people in jobs. Now, unemployment rises while the government sits on its hands.
“The Government has chosen to lay off 6000 public servants, has not done anything to help hundreds of workers in the manufacturing sector, and has cancelled Jobs for Nature and reduced funding for Apprenticeship Boost – programmes that help create jobs in our regions.
“The Government needs to stand up for workers and see the value in keeping people in work,” Camilla Belich said.
The plant is old and antiquated so at some point it was going to close.Not all businesses can or should be saved.
Labour and National have both allowed land to be sold for tree planting meaning less land is available for sheep and beef so there is not the animals to slaughter. I am sure there are arguments to the rights and wrongs of this problem but times change and not all businesses can be saved.
If Labour had not hired so many extra public servants making the system bloated the country would be stronger financially.
This era is worse than the Global financial crisis of 1997 / 98 because it has been deliberately inflicted on the NZ population with worse to come. When you cut public services the private sector suffers twice as much.
‘Not all businesses can or should be saved.’ Absolutely right Trevor!
I mean Landlords and property owners do not need tax cuts so why should they get them?
Also it is going to be so good for our economy when all the workers from this and other closed businesses go on the dole, transfer their skills to Australia, take their income out of local economies.
Keep on with incisive economic analysis Trevor – it is hugely informative as to the mindset of National supporters.
Landlords are running a business just the same as any other small business so why were they denied the tax break that businesses get .
While it is a shame when businesses close nothing stays the same forever . When cars replaced horses the farriers used their skills in making cars.
Timaru has already organized a job fair with at least 40 firms looking for staff . It is not easy losing a job but it can open the opportunity to change .