NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff has said that today's release of labour market data shows the continued economic pain that is being felt by workers.
"This new data shows that unemployment is rising, wages are not keeping up with rising costs, and young people are bearing the brunt of the Government's failure to protect jobs and grow the economy," said Wagstaff.
"According to Stats NZ, the number of filled jobs was down 27,850 from this time last year and is down by more than 30,000 over two years. There are 10% fewer 15-19-year-olds in work than this time last year. The Government doesn't have a plan to tackle unemployment.
"Total wages grew 1.2% last year. Inflation is currently 2.7%. We have had two years in a row where the minimum wage was cut in real terms, and the Government has cut the living wage from government contracts. Working people's pay isn't keeping up with the cost of living, and there is no relief in sight.
"When we look at the data, there are 12,169 fewer people working in construction than this time last year, nearly 6,000 fewer in manufacturing and 5,000 fewer in professional, scientific, and technical services. It's no wonder employment confidence is at near record lows.
"The government's plan for the economy isn't working and is only compounding the cost-of-living crisis for working people. They are delivering tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and spending cuts for everyone else.
"The longer that we leave unemployment to grow, the harder it will be to tackle. It's time we had policies like fair pay agreements to help deliver the strong working conditions needed right now, and social insurance to support workers in transition. It's time we had a government that cared for working people and their families," said Wagstaff.
