Grant Robertson
State Services Spokesperson

13 May 2009 Media Statement

Minister of Employment washes her hands of job losses

It is extremely disappointing that the Minister of Social Development and Employment Paula Bennett has washed her hands of job losses at the Ministry she supposedly controls, Labour State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson says.

“It is simply not good enough for her to say that she had no involvement in the sacking of up to 200 MSD staff,” Grant Robertson said.

“What is the Minister doing if she is not engaging with her Ministry on restructuring and jobs losses?

“The Minister’s claims that she is moving resources to the frontline are nothing more than empty words. With job cuts, fewer staff will end up doing more work.

“The Ministry of Social Development should be increasing the resources available to frontline staff and New Zealanders not reducing them.

“There is no doubt that the loss of 200 jobs will negatively impact on the services available to New Zealanders.

“More than 1000 jobs have been lost from Government departments in the last few months and it’s clear more are likely.

“If the Minister of Employment can’t even be bothered to get involved when job losses are being discussed by the Chief Executive she regularly meets with, it’s obvious jobs are not the number one priority of this government,” Grant Robertson said.

ENDS

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