Opposition parties launch their own inquiry into job losses
BUSINESSDESK: Opposition parties meeting today to publicise the issue of job losses have announced a parliamentary inquiry.
It is outside the usual select committee process and is similar to one held on profits made by banks in New Zealand.
A joint statement by the Greens, Labour and NZ First says the finance and expenditure committee last month blocked an attempt to hold a select committee inquiry into a crisis in manufacturing so the parties will hold their own inquiry.
It will hear oral submissions in several cities in early December. Other parties were welcome to join.
The opposition parties say that since 2008 nearly 40,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost. They do not give a figure for the number of jobs created.
In recent months jobs have gone at Solid Energy's Spring Creek and Huntly East mines, Norske Skog's paper mill in Kawerau, the Tiwai Pt aluminimium smelter, Axiam Metals, Nuplex Industries, Flotech, Summit Wool Spinners, Goulds Fine Foods, Fisher & Paykel Appliances, KiwiRail and the Christchurch Engine Centre.
Businesses, unions and economists are also attending today's summit in Auckland.
NZ First leader Winston Peters again called for changes to way the Reserve Bank of New Zealand operates to promote growth.
EPMU national secretary Bill Newson says the summit was a sign of the emerging consensus that the government needed to take a more active role in the economy.
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Comments and questions7
EMPU - blah -blah -blah.
Why dont they take there own funds, raise some more and start there own manufacturing business offering jobs paying $25.00 an hour.
Since when has any union, or union official ever been credible enough to comment on productivity or the economy?
After all is said and done - more will be said than done.
These muppets on the left will eventually find that job losses have happened because it's the economy stupid!
...and Like Kiwimade said in the comment before - the unions receive nearly $100 Million each year in membership fees - and what do the members get in return? About time the unions put their money where their massive mouth's are - and led the way for manufacturing and NZ Inc.
School leavers can now approach unions for a job - they will be paying $15/hr regardless - and keep asking them when they will be starting these business's to support their members. Do they have a fiduciary obligation and duty of care to their members who pay them?
The unions has tried to tell NZ they have all the answers, all the solutions - so hurry up and deliver - or just STFU EPMU
I think the Owl said that is a billion over 10 years..that will be good for the economy. And on 688 union staff enjoy 620 million dollars over the 10 years. There is your answer.
There needs to be an urgent summit
70 people have solved the problem of NZ manufacturing woes. Awesome, my lemon tree is low on production this year..think I will get all the locals garden stores around for a summit.
What mandate do these muppets think they have to waste taxpayer dollars on enquiry into the obvious. Agree whole heartedly with previous comments that they should look forward with a pro-active approach toward solving the issues rather than trying to score political points by looking for someone to blame for history.
Why not focus their inquiry on the increased costs to businesses created by 9 years of Labour governance and what can now be done to unravel these excesses.
Better still, put some focus on how to exploit our vast mineral resource in a way that creates jobs and which has minimal impact on our environment. Hell - if necessary, it appears we have lots of surplus labour to replant and reinstate the tracts of land that could be opened up by economic open cast mining, adding in some public walking tracks as they go !!
"Opposition parties launch their own inquiry into job losses"
DOH!! Don't they know that the number of people employed in NZ is limited by the amount of money in circulation in NZ. The increase of the amount of money in circulation is limited by the profit of the money in circulation.
So Mr Shearer which circulating money is most likely to be most profitable? Private investment, or Gov. investment?
So Mr Shearer/Norman, follow me if you please; one and one make two, two and two ................ And please do remember it is NOT your elbow you pull your trousers over in the morning. Thank you. Have a nice day.
Presumably, at this 'talk fiest'. the EPMU offered to withdraw from legislation put in place by their Socialist puppets; all the restrictive employment practices which are holding NZ's 40 plus hour week productivity, down at around the equivalent of 26 hours real productivity.