There are plenty of jobs out there if people look really hard, with New Zealand's horticulture sector an example of where business owners have to hire foreign workers for harvest work, Prime Minister John Key says.
Under opposition attacks following announcement of his government's tougher welfare policy, Key this morning told TV3's Firstline programme that he didnt' buy the 'where are the jobs' opposition to the welfare reforms.
"Obviously if the economy is poorer, and not creating as many jobs or in fact contracting jobs - that hasn't been the case in the last few years - but if that's the case, of course the unemployment roll will rise," Key said.
"But it's worth pointing out that in all of the changes we are making, it is about people, if they can, being work ready. If they don't get a job, if there isn't a job there for them, then nothing changes in terms of their entitlements," he said.
"But there are plenty of jobs out there for people if they look really hard. Now obviously not for every single person - we need to continue to work to drive the economy - but people do find work, and the economy is constantly creating new jobs and different jobs are there," he said.
"We bring in people from overseas to work in the New Zealand economy because we can't staff them in times of the harvest for horticulture, for instance," Key said.
Underlying education problem?
Meanwhile, Key did not accept the argument that the issue stemmed from a deeper problem with New Zealand’s education system. International studies of education outcomes ranked New Zealand “extremely well” relative to other countries, he said.
However those studies represented the average child, and 20% of children had substandard literacy and numeracy skills, which was what the government’s ‘national standards’ education policy would tackle.
“We certainly know there are a lot of youngsters dropping out without those skills. But I wouldn’t actually make the case that we don’t do enough when it comes to education funding,” Key said.
50 Comments
There is always work ,but the problem is with the quality of the product that has become the unemployable youth, which is now stretching out to cover many middle aged. Resentment, anger,poor work ethic, no discipline, poor concentration ( the joint on the way to work hasn't helped) They all want to be filthy millionares like Mr key, perhaps he should show them how you do it, you know, which cup is the money under, watch my hand, magic, look all your money is now in my account.
Yes, here's a perfect example of that Key trademark slight of hand:
2009 - Key government lumbers Otago with a debt it can't afford by "kicking in" $15m of NZ taxpayer dollars to "help" them fund their unaffordable new stadium:
http://michaelwoodhouse.co.nz/index.php?/archives/10-Stadium-Great-Opportunity-for-Dunedin.html
2012 - Key government abandons Otago when it sinks less than 3 years later;
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10788454
Over-regulated America The home of laissez-faire is being suffocated by excessive and badly written regulation
We recently had to employ some Security Gaurds to gaurd a facility with equipment in it , in Auckland .
Now guess where did the gaurds came from ?
Over a month we saw : Two Indians , a Zimbabwean , an Ethiopian , and some South Africans.
Not a Kiwi in sight
Why are Kiwis not doing this work
When I was a tertiary student (about 15 yrs ago), I did various odd jobs via Student Job Search (SJS) to earn some money in weekends. It was easy, just go to SJS and look for jobs to do, discuss briefly with SJS supervisor and go and do the job and be paid by the person who offered the job.
A few months ago I needed some post holes dug, thought would be good job for a student to make some cash (I was offering good hourly rate for good worker), so I phoned SJS, however there was too much paper work, registration etc, that it wasn't worth the hassle, then I considered what if they twist there ankle on the job, ?what about OSH, ?do I have to supervise and train them and supply them with all the safety gear for digging a hole with spade?? (it was just a 1 day job).
So easiest option was just to dig the holes myself, which I did. I have had many other jobs that I would have liked to have paid others to do also, but unfortunately I am not allowed to assume that workers have any common sense, or any idea about safety.
I don't blame SJS, I know they need to abide by OSH etc to cover themselves.
The risk of employing unqualified persons for odd jobs is barely (or not) worth the legal and beaurocratic risk, even if they are capable of doing the job. And god help you if they were not up to the job or lazy and you sacked them! - it could cost you thousands!
Relevant supporting comments:
Recall that the most profitable business model is a monopoly or cartel protected from competition by the coercive Central State. Imposing complex regulations on small business competitors effectively cripples an entire class competitors, but does so in "stealth mode"--after all, more regulations are a "good thing" (especially to credulous Liberals) which "protect the public" (and every politico loves claiming his/her new raft of regulations will "protect the public.")
http://www.oftwominds.com/blogfeb12/crony-capitalism2-12.html
Agree about SJS - fantastic when I was a student for earning extra money. And once I was in their system they would call me when new jobs came up for me to get first pick. Cash in hand too!
There will be hundreds of kiwifruit related jobs in the Bay of Plenty following harvest this winter - most orchards will be cutting the existing gold varieties out to save from the risk of PSA. Then the new gold variety will need to be planted. Whether kiwis want to do that work is another story, most workers will probably come from the Pacific.
Talk about picking the low hanging fruit - literally.
And even that is under threat if we continue to blunder our way through biosecurity management.
What happened to the aspirational back office to the world of financial transactons idea? What happened to the great economic stimulus of the Chch disaster? What about the massive investment in roadworks and broadband and the Google-government partnership and all these new schools we're gonna build out of the proceeds of asset sales? And what about the government's recent investment in water infrastructure in the South Island - and all the ecological restoration work being paid for through government programs? Aren't any of these things intended to stimulate job growth?
As a young person I'd take that as the PM telling me my future was in fruit picking - as an adult I suspect he's like a possum in the headlights as a result of the GFC. His entire working world of make-something-out-of-nothing no longer exists - the deck of cards he knows is tumbling. He can imagine no forest beyond these trees - austerity is it - his own fears/beliefs have told him so. He's the wrong guy for the job at the moment.
What's our backup plan ... as he ain't gonna deliver on it.
I don't disagree - I worked part time through my school years between grocery store checkout and waitressing, my husband in farm labour, one of our kids had a milk run and the other mopped floors and cleaned toilets at the local school.
Problem as I see it - there are no longer these plentiful part time job opportunities for teenagers and university students - as they have largely been taken up by those in full time employment trying to raise families on those hourly rate incomes.
We are a low wage economy and it seems this Government is resigned to that.
Well PM – show me the jobs ? Do you have an economic strategy – long term ?
E.g.
Steven Joyce on transport – big words - but economically don’t make any sense:
http://transportblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PTOM-Cabinet-Paper-November-2010-FINAL.pdf
…and "these things" - the rolling stock, buses, ferries etc. - are just falling from the sky - costing billions - manufactured by foreign workforces.
I found Googling the words "National party economic strategy" quite helpful; it led me to a 120-point Economic Development Plan. It's here:
http://www.national.org.nz/PolicyAreas.aspx?S=15
Do you really think it makes economic sense for NZ to maintain the capacity to build its own buses, ferries etc rather than import them?
Do you think everybody should make their own clothes?
You can see Key speaking about the plan here.
Cheers
Alex
I think you got the wrong link - this is more likely the one you meant;
http://www.national.org.nz/PDF_General/Economic_Development_Action_Plan.pdf
As to the questions:
Do you really think it makes economic sense for NZ to maintain the capacity to build its own buses, ferries etc rather than import them?
Do you think everybody should make their own clothes?
I don't think every individual needs to know how to forge steel or weld a joint to build a bus or a train - nor does everyone need to know how to knit a jersey ... but yes,NZ needs to have these skills and we do need to retain the heavy and light manufacturing infrastructure/capital onshore. We are a long way from anywhere and someday that will matter.
Ideologue.
Economic sense only worked on the way up the gaussian.
Sure, no other way would have fitted the upside.
Equally, the current model doesn't suit the downside.
Specialisation actually has serious downsides, you end up knowing everything about nothing, then it becomes obsolete. I think that within a country the size of NZ, we should maintain enough skills to be self-sufficient in whatever we require.
Because your precious 'economic model' falls down about now, and it's more important to be clothed, ferried, carriaged and fed, that it is to be 'wealthy'. You may not get it, but those are the things 'wealth' expects to buy. Comes to the same animal if you can make it.
I can build a house, plumb, wire, plant, sew, build boats, vehicles of all kinds, design just about anything. Wouldn't have it any other way. I'm what's called resilient. Adaptable. Don't have to pray at all. Can't imagine anything worse than being a cog in the machine - especially considering what is ahead.
I thought the discussion was about whether there was any work available for 16 year olds not currently working or at school to do so they could tear themselves away from their Play Station.
Turns out Kate thinks there is if we manage the bio security risk. Good to see her agreeing with John Key.
Good to see her agreeing with John Key.
On what - I didn't hear him admit what a failure his government has been in terms of biosecurity management?
BTW have you checked out the new NAIT regime?
Another nightmare in compliance costs compliments of Key's crew - only in my opinion of course!
Workers earning less then $728 pw should very seriously consider quitting and going on the dole. Thats over 50% of all workers. Consider all the benefits, of spending more time with friends and family, and the advantages of not having all those work related costs, transport, and food, time etc.
Whats the point in working when the govt will keep you in the lifestyle you are accustomed to? Without the hassle of working for an arsehole boss, who's only motivation to keep you on, is the headache he will have training a replacement?
The sooner we crash this bankrupt economic system the sooner we can shift to a more sustainable alternative. Do your bit to help NZ, send us bankrupt sooner rather then later.
I'm seriously considering liquidating all my assets, converting them to silver, then losing it all in a "terrible boating accident". Just so I can go into winz and claim my share of these assets sales, living the life of financial freedom, and doing my bit to build a brighter future.
Bernard (create ze money from thin air) Hickey and the team, should definatly create a "Dole rate calculator" so we can calculate how well off we will be on the dole. Include the bonus for having more kids, and being single vs a couple, also things like whether it's better to move to Auckland for the increased accomadation supplement, and the benefits of having a "bad back."
Here you go, skudiv - interest.co.nz needn't reinvent the wheel;
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/eligibility/index.html
You have a built in work ethic, how about if your parents never worked and never felt quilty or that they had wasted their lives? What if your parents spent their lives blaming other people and addicted to drink and drugs and you started taking drugs and dropping out of school at 14, never had supportive parents who cared, and family violence was an every day part of your life.
Nah, no where near it - here's the schedule;
Yeah, but think of all the advantages. You don't pay tax on that for a start, and secondly you don't pay tax on that, and if you add up all the numbers in the right hand column thats bigger than the average wage. Its really so, so appealing.
Now go and read another moralistic tale,
http://home.earthlink.net/~schiffmoltz/index.htm
As Irwin Schiff says, even a 10 year old can explain where inflation comes from, and some of them may even be right.
What? Oh man, geez. I thought there was finally a way to avoid paying tax. Its really an eye opener how sneaky there government beaurocratic types are that they even tax the benefits they give away.
Can't we just add up all the numbers on the right and then claim that much is the average benefit? I thought that was how it works? I mean as long as you voted for them and fill out a suitable vote bribery reclaim form that is.
I was about to ask the same question!
Anyway, I don't think $335/wk would quite cut it for 2 adults + 5 kids. Also, I had a quick look and it seems that for a couple both must be unemployed (or earn near nothing) to even get that amount. I imagine that most people on the dole don't actually want to remain there.
So nah, if I'd wanted to live the life of a beneficiary I'd do it in France where the dole is about 80% of the last income earned for 2 years and family subsidies are significant (and maternity leave pay is near full pay). Although in NZ (and after some digging on the WINZ site) it looks like with 5 kids we'd get 22K net/yr if we dropped our income to the lowest band. And yet, it holds no appeal whatsoever. Where would be the motivation to get up in the morning (if you discount a bunch of kids who think that 6am is the perfect time to throw a party that is!).
I assume in France (but its just a guess) that similar to the US, people when working pay a specific targeted tax on a proportion of their income for "unemployment insurance". Thus the unemployment benefit amount is linked to past earnings? And it used to have a timeframe limit on it - but the government keeps extending that more recently given the unhealthy jobs market.
Here there is no such targeted tax on income hence the reason why the benefit is a low flat rate regardless of previous income.
Not really defending either way but it's an issue which probably deserves reconsideration.
One doesn't have to have a work record (i.e. doesn't ever have to have been a taxpayer) to receive either the unemployment benefit or the national super here - and that seems on the face of it, unsustainable. But then neither do I see the level of abject poverty here that I see in the US - so lots to think about.
You guys havn't been keeping up, $728 is how much a single mum gets with 2 preschoolers, if she wants to do a course. Obviously that is not enough so she is turning to prosititution.
I imagine a family of 5 has to be netting at leask 1k pw.
This is why we need a proper dole rate calculator, to find out how much better off we are, and what all the additional packages we can get are worth, and how to get them.
My personel goal is retirement before 40, so you can see that hard work and investing is clearly the wrong way to go about it. I have no desire to be taxed to death in retirement, so I propose we crash the system, and send the country bankrupt as quickly as possible.
"so you can see that hard work and investing is clearly the wrong way to go about it"
hehehe, That is Irwin Schiff's argument down to a tee. Its also why he concocted several stories about how the federal income tax apparantly causes all inflation. He also liked reading such bed time stories to congress, I bet they thoroughly appreciated the rhetoric.
Well as he says about himself he is the leading expert on Americas Federal Income Tax. I don't know what you might think about his stories but as he says they really could be arguments put forward by a 10 year old.
http://freedom-school.com/money/how-an-economy-grows.pdf
Gotta love the part where he starts to advocate a voting tax. Libertarians only like political discourse if nothing they hold dear is ever at stake.
All economic theories under a monetary system are fundamentaly flawed, with unsustainability, and illogical arguments, as I understand them. Trial and error should teach us that eventually, if we don't blow ourselves up first.
Pretty soon Western govts and voters are going to learn the difference between cash based accounting, and GAAP. The sooner the better.
I do believe in a safety net, and you judge a society by how it treats its poor. Yet extrapolating the current tragectory it wont take long before most people are poor, and there will be a few very, very rich.
Why should they? There is hardly any money in it for a start, and it doesn't enhance your skill set in any substantial way. In fact to many (rather small minded) employers the fact you were out picking fruit is probably not a favourable part of the resume. The only advantage to it is you get to do something which is temporary and can probably be picked up on a holiday and then left almost at will.
But why should somebody want to work for an orchard? Whats the incentive for them? and why should they be coerced by the stick into it?
Especially when any attempt at political representation by these sections of society is promptly ignored by the government and has been for years. When ever they have said, and quite loudly, protect our jobs from overseas competition and protect our basic wage rates at a minimum level then the government has consistently favoured the capital owners who were frequently seeking to and do undermine the labour force they rely on and then pressure the government into further opening up the borders for migrant workers who will work for cheap.
Its clearly time that the government did engage in some 'vote buying' by actually implementing policies which their core would vote for. Why do you want representative democracy to only represent the interests of a minority of society?
For the past 30 years i have provided seasonal work each year including this one i will advertise for staff in the paper get 200 local applicants select 50 and when training day comes 10 will turn up. I cover myself each year by informing the local backpackers i will need 40 workers.
Of the 10 locals who turn up possibly 3 will last the season usually older and female.
Good luck to john if he thinks these people are going to work.
I met with Jim Anderton many years ago and after showing him around we discussed this issue. He told me it is impossible to turn around 50 years of poor social policy.
I agreed with his honesty and now the rules on employing overseas staff are what they are.
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