“Fire At Will” Puts Health And Education At Risk

The Government has confirmed that New Zealand’s teachers, doctors, nurses and other public sector workers will be exposed to John Key’s plans to extend his 90 day “fire at will” law, Labour’s State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today.

“Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson told Parliament this afternoon that public sector bosses will have the power to use the 90 day ‘fire at will’ when hiring new staff,” Grant Robertson said.

“That means the people that communities rely on like doctors, nurses, teachers and even police officers could be put on 90 day trials.

“It costs taxpayers $42,000 to train a police recruit. Under John Key’s proposal that police officer could be fired for no good reason at a huge expense to taxpayers.

“Doctors have already expressed concern that the 90 day law could see patient care compromised and trained staff lost overseas in the search for secure employment.

“Some schools and hospitals, especially in many of our small towns, are already struggling to attract good workers. This will make things worse.

“The quality of our public services should not suffer because John Key is showing his true colours and has sought to attack the basic rights of Kiwi workers.”

Grant Robertson said John Key is preparing to cut the fundamental rights of Kiwi workers at a time when staff morale in the in the public sector is already low.

“A recent survey found just 27 percent of Ministry of Health and 34 percent of State Services Commission staff were happy in their jobs,” Grant Robertson said.

“Widening the 90 day ‘fire at will’ laws will do nothing to make our public servants feel more secure in their jobs. The end result of this will be the quality of public services Kiwis receive will suffer.”

ENDS

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