Government's Approach to Unemployment Will Fail

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Press Release: Young Labour

Young Labour is appalled that the Government thinks the solution to unemployment is to pay people unfair wages if they are young or trying to upskill.

“Unemployment is so high because there are no jobs,” says Young Labour President Ella Hardy.

“Today in Question Time the Minister of Labour, Kate Wilkinson, was unable to outline a plan to create jobs, and refused to rule out discriminatory changes to wage laws.”

Ms Hardy says that by entertaining the option of youth rates the Government is failing to address high youth unemployment.

“The only group this policy helps are supermarkets and big corporates who get to pay their employees less while displacing jobs”.

“The Government needs to create jobs, and invest in education and skills training rather than cutting it,” she urges.

Young Labour Affiliates Representative Chelsea Torrance is also concerned that the prospect of extending training wages was alluded to by the Prime Minister today.

“We are not going to build a stronger economy by making life harder for people who are trying to upskill,” Ms Torrance says. “

Kate Wilkinson today agreed with John Key that it would be hard to live on the minimum wage. If she understands this then why would she pay people who are trying to gain more skills to contribute to our economy even less than the minimum wage?”

Ms Torrance says many young people work to support their families' incomes and want to further their education and training, and that discriminating against them in this way is unfair and harmful.

ENDS

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