Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel says changes to successful employment programmes will restrict what communities and businesses can do to address unemployment.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says too many places on programmes like Mana in Mahi and Flexi-Wage were going to people not on a Jobseeker benefit, so she’s taking a beneficiaries first approach to job schemes.
Ms Tangaere-Manuel says it’s punitive approach that ignores the reality of unemployment and job creation, especially out in the regions.
“In our electorate I’ve seen Mana in Mahi in action. For example, some of our young people in Kahungunu, building homes knowing they were go going to places like Omahu to rehouse people so not only was It employment and gaining skills, it’s a real connection back to their communities and a contribution,
Ms Tangaere-Manuel says when she was at Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby she employed people under Flexi-Wage, so saw first hand how it could be used by small businesses to support people back into work.
