November 08, 2012
Māori jobless rate tops 15 percent
MPs are calling for job creation schemes to counter a surge in unemployment that is leaving 15.1 percent of Maori without work.
Statistics New Zealand figures for the September quarter show the jobless rate up to 7.3 percent, the worst for more than a decade, with the Maori and Pasifika rate more than double that.
Labour's employment spokesperson Su'a William Sio says the Government's policies have failed to create jobs, and are leading to lower wages and increasing numbers of young people shifting to Australia.
The Maori Party, which has a support agreement with National, says policies like the 90-day trial period for new employees aren't helping young Maori into the labour force.
National MP Tau Henare says any government should be embarrassed about a 15 percent unemployment rate.
But his leader John Key says he is surprised by the jump, which he blamed on international conditions.
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