Solid Energy cuts hurt working families

Solid Energy’s decision to slash hundreds of jobs will see more families heading for the dole queue or across the Tasman looking for work and better opportunities, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

“This Government promised New Zealanders a brighter future. It pledged to create 170,000 more jobs and to lift people’s incomes. But what we’re seeing instead are job cuts across the board and more families being left without a pay cheque. 

“The results of National’s economic failure are stark. Under its watch, we’ve got the biggest ever gap between the rich and poor in New Zealand, one in five children suffering hardship and 40% of the children living in poverty coming from working families.

“This is an absolute disgrace. National should be ashamed of itself.

“What we’re seeing today is the real impact of National’s failed economic policies which hinge on asset sales and mining. With Solid Energy’s announcement, we can see that mining our way to prosperity isn’t the answer.

“The asset sales also aren’t working out so well. Solid Energy is on the block to be sold and yet here it is sacking workers and downgrading its forecasts. No one would sell their house at the bottom of the market, so why would the Government do that with Solid Energy when it’s in trouble?

“Our thoughts are with the workers who are about to lose their jobs. We call on the company to give certainty as soon as possible to those working at Spring Creek mine on the West Coast after the suspension of operations there. These workers have a right to know what the future holds for them.

“What is clear is that this Government is aiming for the bottom. It wants New Zealand to be a low wage economy. But New Zealanders deserve better. They want jobs that pay well so they can support themselves and their families and have a future to look forward to.