CTU supports Kiwi Jobs Bill – but it should go further 14.7.10

The Council of Trade Unions is supporting Clare Curran’s Kiwi Jobs Bill, but CTU Secretary Peter Conway said that the Bill is a relatively weak measure.

“The CTU supports the intentions of the Bill, but why wait for a Commission of Inquiry? Let’s do it now,” said Conway.

“If we are to catch up with Australia, we have to start adopting some of the smarter Australian policies. That includes a positive procurement policy that backs New Zealand workers and firms. That means major government purchases should include a local industry participation plan backed up by a weighting or minimum domestic content provision.”

“It’s a no-brainer that the power of central and local government purchasing should be helping Kiwi jobs and industry grow. The current central government policy is obsessed with a narrow view of ‘value for money’ which just means cost-cutting and too often means only imported products and services provided by multinationals get the contracts. Real value for money for New Zealand could be obtained by helping growing New Zealand firms to get a market for their goods and services. That provides jobs and gives those industries a strong basis to grow and export.”

For further information contact:

Peter Conway, Secretary, CTU
04 802 3816 / 027 493 9748