July 19, 2006

Media Release

Most people fear Nats’ workplace bill - survey

Most working New Zealanders think that the National Party’s no-rights-for-new-workers bill will make it easier for bosses to get rid of people at will, and believe it will do little to help people into work, independent research shows.

The research, from a poll of 500 people conducted last month by ConsumerLink, comes out on the eve a mass rally outside Parliament to protest against the Employment Relations (Probationary Period) Amendment Bill.

Of the 284 respondents aged 15+ employed either part-time or fulltime, 81 per cent said that they thought if the bill was passed into law it would make it easier for employers to get rid of people for no good reason.

Sixty-three per cent said it would make life very difficult for people learning a new job, with just 22 per cent saying it would make it easier to find a job.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing national secretary Andrew Little, who commissioned the research, said that it clearly showed that most working people did not believe the bill would do what the National Party claimed it would do.

“This research shows that most working New Zealanders oppose the Employment Relations (Probationary Period) Amendment Bill – and that will be confirmed at tomorrow’s mass rally,” he said.

“You don’t get people into work by taking away their basic workplace rights.”

ENDS

Tomorrow’s [Friday's] rally will be outside Parliament at 12.30pm

The full question and results follows:

“There is a proposed new law before Parliament which, if passed, will give employers the right to dismiss new employees without giving any reasons. The law could apply to anyone starting a new job and would last for 90 days. Sacked workers will have no right to challenge the dismissal.

Do you believe this proposed new law will

Make it easier to find a job 22%
Create more unemployment 38%
Get more people into work who otherwise wouldn't get a chance 31%
Put pressure on people trying to learn a new job 63%
Help a business to make more profit 37%
Discourage people from changing jobs 44%
Make it easier for employers to get rid of people for no good reason 81%
DO NOT READ: Don't know 2%

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