April 21, 2009
Media Release

Transparency needed on nine day fortnight

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says more transparency is needed on the nine day fortnight as the Government considers extending the scheme to include small businesses.

The call follows Minister of Social Development Paula Bennett’s statement this morning that the Government is fine with businesses benefiting from the scheme remaining anonymous despite receiving taxpayer assistance.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the public have a right to know where their money is going and that it’s being used properly.

“While we welcome the extension of the nine day fortnight to include small businesses, we have serious concerns about the lack of transparency in the scheme.

“For example we don’t know if the firm announced yesterday that wished to remain anonymous is treating its workers fairly. We don’t know if the workers affected are receiving a whole or partial wage top-up or even if they had a choice in entering the scheme.

“This is taxpayers’ money at stake here and even if the government is unwilling to tell us the name of the companies being subsidised we at least have the right to know the details of any deal under the scheme.

“The aim of the scheme is to save jobs and we are entitled to know in each case where public money is used that it is being used for this purpose and that the workers affected are otherwise being treated fairly.”

The EPMU has negotiated nine day fortnights with employer wage top-ups at Fisher & Paykel and Summit Wool Spinners.

ENDS

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