More punishment for business with new holiday's law

Businesses will be punished even more for trying to keep people in work under the law changes proposed for the Holidays Act, the Employers and Manufacturers (Northern) says.

Labour Minister Margaret Wilson is waging a vindictive campaign against New Zealand business, said Peter Tritt, EMA's Manager of Advisory Services.

"The Minister's proposals for the Holidays Act will add large costs to many businesses and they come hot on the heels of her forays adding unnecessary costs to business through her Occupation Health & Safety Bill, parental leave and minimum wages.

"The Minister is trying to legislate prosperity.

"The proposals fly in the face of Government's avowals to boost economic growth.

"Everyone agrees we don't want a low wage economy, but you can't pass a law granting everyone higher standards of living.

"We need economic growth to improve our businesses ability to pay for more holidays, and to achieve economic growth we need to lift overall productivity. The Minister's law won't help lift productivity one iota.

"Faced with the pay increases which her proposals mean, businesses can do one of two things: increase prices or reduce staff.

"The Minister should be reined in. Business will be irate about the extra direct and compliance costs her work is inflicting on them."

Comments: Peter Tritt ph 09 367 0921 (b) 09 845 5532 (h) 025 796 807

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