Latest news with #FIRSTUnion
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'Easier to live in the islands' - Pasifika families 'in survival mode' amid joblessness
According to the latest unemployment figures, 12.1 percent of Pasifika in Auckland cannot find work. Photo: Supplied/ Unsplash - Josh Olalde Figures released last week show Aotearoa's unemployment rate has remained at 5.1 percent. However, Pasifika unemployment has risen to 10.8 percent this quarter, more than double that of the national rate. Advocates say hard times for the community are only getting harder. A Pasifika organiser for FIRST Union in Auckland Antonia Lili'i describes the mood amongst her Pasifika members as hopeless. "We are totally in survival have been in survival mode since Covid." Auckland is home to more than 275,000 Pacific Island people as of 2023. However, according to the latest unemployment figures, 12.1 percent of Pasifika in Auckland cannot find work - the highest level in ten years. Nationwide, one in ten Pasifika are unemployed - its highest level since 2016. Antonia said that, if there is no change, many of her members have no choice but to cross the ditch or move to the islands. "It is easier to live in the islands at the moment, you do not have a mortgage, or rent to pay, and you can plant food to grow back home." "Young pasifika women or men who have done quite well, a majority of them are moving to Australia." Auckland councillor Lotu Fuli said that she does not see any light at the end of the tunnel. "Hard economic times hit Pasifika families disproportionately harder than others," Fuli said. "The recent cuts in public service jobs, funding for important programs and for community initiatives has exacerbated these issues." "Every day now, I am seeing families who are not only struggling to make ends meet and feed their families. But now there are also very few services where they can turn to for help due to the ongoing funding cuts." The opposition agreed that there was not enough being done to address Pasifika unemployment. Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni pointed to fewer building and construction jobs, as well as hiring freezes in the health sector, as particularly painful. "Pacific people are generally working in more precarious work, so when there are job losses, sadly it is Pacific who suffer the most." Meanwhile, the government have expressed relief that the headline figure for unemployment saw little change from last quarter. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in a press statement that the result was encouraging. "I know people are still struggling in this economy, that is why on May 22 the Government will deliver a Budget that continues the work to get the books back in order, while building on the foundations we've laid to foster economic growth. It will be a responsible Budget that secures New Zealand's future." Economist Craig Renney said that the government has ignored several underlying weaknesses in the labour market. "About half of all workers saw a pay rise less than inflation, and we saw about three million fewer hours being worked this year." "The headline rate remained the same, but that disguised numbers inside which are really quite concerning, like Maori and Pasifika unemployment." Renney said that the higher unemployment rates in those communities should trigger alarm bells for the government. "Right now, there is no plan to assist those workers to get into work, or get new skills and training." National did not respond to a request for comment, while ACT declined to comment.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Woolworths New Zealand Q3 Sales Announcement
16 December 2024: Thousands of Woolworths team members working in supermarkets will benefit from a new collective agreement ratified today which includes minimum wage increases of 6.8% over the next two years, and the introduction of a multi-skilled hourly rate to support varied and rewarding retail careers. Under the new agreement, the team will receive a minimum pay rise of 3.3% in the first year, increasing the minimum hourly rate for supermarket team members up to $25.85, and 3.5% in the second year. The agreement also includes a new multi-skilled hourly rate where team members will be specially trained to work across three or more departments and rewarded with a rate of $26.35. The 18,000 team members working in Woolworths supermarkets will also benefit from a special, one-off payment as part of the offer, with team members contracted to 32 hours or more per week getting $175 and those under 32 hours per week receiving $80 (excluding casuals). These one-off payments will be made in time for Christmas. Woolworths New Zealand's Managing Director, Spencer Sonn, says it's important to have this agreement finalised and ratified by FIRST Union members. 'At Woolworths, we want to be an employer of choice and make sure our team can have long and fulfilling careers with us. That's why we're investing in our team's learning with a multiskilling programme that gives lifelong skills, more flexibility and critical foundations for a highly rewarding retail career. 'We've also improved our team benefits over the last couple of years with additional grocery discounts, industry-leading parental leave and wellbeing partnerships. This agreement is another critical part of ensuring we retain great people, and will have a truly positive impact on our team's day to day life. 'We're pleased to have landed this agreement in a place that fairly rewards our team for the work they do every day, and balances the current economic climate. We would like to thank FIRST Union for representing team members' views throughout this process and look forward to a constructive working relationship over the coming months and years,' adds Spencer. Woolworths' supermarket team also have access to the following benefits: 5% off on all grocery items, 10% off fresh and own brand products and two 10% discount days per month, as well as special Everyday Rewards member offers Parental leave that includes an industry-leading 12 weeks of paid leave for the primary caregiver, and secondary caregiver leave of four weeks Coaching and support from Grace Papers, who provide services to team members going on and returning from parental leave Sonder, a 24/7 employee mental health support service
