"1. NATHAN GUY (National"”ÅŒtaki) to the Prime Minister: What reports has the Government received on the 9-day fortnight?

Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) : I have received a report today that Fisher and Paykel Appliances has negotiated with its workforce to take up the Government's 9-day fortnight scheme. As a result, it is my understanding that some 350 workers now have a guaranteed job for the next 6 months and 60 workers who would otherwise have been made redundant have managed to keep their jobs. [Interruption] I note that the noise coming from Labour members means that they do not support those 350 workers who have kept their jobs. Let us see whether they are talking that tough when they visit Fisher and Paykel Appliances one day. I for one am proud to be leading a Government that has come up with a solution that has seen those workers keep their jobs.

Nathan Guy: Are there other elements to the Fisher and Paykel Appliances announcement?

Hon JOHN KEY: Yes, there are. Fisher and Paykel Appliances has announced that employees will work a 35-hour week, which will be supplemented by an additional 3.5 hours' pay, consisting of the Government's scheme and an equivalent contribution from the company. The remaining 1.5 hours per week may be taken as paid leave to ensure continuity of wage levels, and workers will attend a Fisher and Paykel Appliances - funded, in-house training and upskilling programme for the balance of the time. This is a great example of the Government, business, unions, and employees all working together. It is a successful programme." - Parliament TV