Employers support focus on youth

BusinessNZ says it’s good that the Government is focusing on youth employment in its employment relations policy announced today.

Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says the ‘starting out’ wage and changes around payment for new entrants are a good move forward.

“They are not enough however. More needs to be done, especially around creating clearer pathways from school to tertiary education to work, with linkages to other youth employment initiatives already in place.

“Employers will look forward to further announcements from the Government in this area and we hope all political parties will put up thoughtful policies around the issue of youth employment – not just focused on wages but skill pathways as well.”

Mr O’Reilly said National’s proposed changes to the rules around collective bargaining would bring a simpler, fairer process, and the proposed extension of flexible working arrangements was long overdue.

“The ‘flexible working rules’ currently in place are in fact a barrier to more flexible arrangements. Making the right to request flexible work arrangements open to all workers without any preconditions is simply common sense.”

“Overall, this employment relations policy released today is targeted, moderate and sensible.”