Job losses everywhere

Written By: - Date published: 8:29 am, April 16th, 2016 - 57 comments
Categories: class war, economy, employment, jobs - Tags: , , , , ,

Brighter Future. Cusp of Something Special. Is it supposed to look like this?

March 24: Inland Revenue to cut 1500 jobs between 2018 and 2021

March 29: NZ Post plans to cut another 500 jobs

April 5: 180 jobs to go at Fisher & Paykel Appliances

April 14: Cavalier restructure costs 65 jobs

(And in news with a similar flavour: A seventh generation farmer loses everything.)

57 comments on “Job losses everywhere ”

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  1. te reo putake 1
    16 April 2016 at 9:15 am

    Fun fact: Since 2008, 95% of NZ job growth has been in Christchurch and Auckland. If you’re in the provinces, the future is bleak.

    • Colonial Viper 1.1
      16 April 2016 at 2:45 pm

      So who will the provincial electorates vote in 2017?

      • te reo putake 1.1.1
        16 April 2016 at 3:39 pm

        Team blue, like turkeys voting for Xmas.

        • Macro 1.1.1.1
          16 April 2016 at 5:11 pm

          Exactly.
          Here we have lost 100 jobs from a saw mill closure just before xmas.
          A large foundry firm has been cutting back and cutting back and now operates a skeleton staff.
          Retailers and cafes open and shut down on a regular basis.
          Our food bank has gone into overdrive (and thanks to the local supermarket and donors) who have helped keep things afloat.
          But Scott has a photo in the local rag once a week holding a puppy or selling a sausage, and house prices are starting to go up as retired Aucklanders (like me) discover the joys of free parking and 5 mins to everywhere (including the beach).
          So everything is alright with the world – despite the local hardware store’s chalk board out front. (Some very pointed comments on the political shenanigans of govt.) And we can expect Scott to swan in again to warm a set on the back benches and vote to deprive the majority of a fair go.

          • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1.1
            16 April 2016 at 5:48 pm

            So do you blame Kiwi voters for being self centred/ignorant, or do you blame the Opposition for not capitalising on a target rich, permissive political environment

            • Hanswurst 1.1.1.1.1.1
              16 April 2016 at 6:33 pm

              Both, frankly. Blaming someone, however, is not terribly useful.

              • greywarshark …
                16 April 2016 at 10:48 pm

                But if correct in analysis, it demonstrates the electorate’s weakness. Then
                you know that it is no good appealing to reason and a desire for a fair society.

            • miravox 1.1.1.1.1.2
              16 April 2016 at 6:58 pm

              I think the Opposition should be capitalising by publicising the lack of interest the government has in workforce layoffs and be in the process of getting together information to produce a set of policies to manage workforce changes so they are in a position to implement strategies as soon as they’re in power.

              I wonder if they’re doing that….. 🙄

            • Macro 1.1.1.1.1.3
              16 April 2016 at 7:03 pm

              To get any traction in the local papers, I can tell you from first hand experience, is nigh impossible. The local radio will “suffer” a 5 min interview every now and then for “balance”, but the best way get the message out is door knocking.
              So yes – ignorant voters who in most cases are self satisfied. Both the local opposition candidates (Labour and Green) are out there at every opportunity and both very good people I’d happily vote for both if I could :). But this is a solid (in both senses of the word) blue constituency and National can field any dullard (eg Sandra Goudie who in her stunning 3 terms achieved – nothing) to win.

            • maui 1.1.1.1.1.4
              16 April 2016 at 8:47 pm

              I’m starting to wonder that whatever the opposition does people still won’t vote for them. Labour or the Greens aren’t seen as cool by the public, they’re not part of the “in” crowd, and they don’t fit in with the it’s all about “me” culture we’ve built up over the years. That culture has been drummed into everyone through people like Hosking and Henry, and The Block and the Batchelor shows. It will be very interesting to see what finally shifts people’s votes back to those parties though.

  2. Chris 2
    16 April 2016 at 11:43 am

    And Richard Wagstaff’s contribution to the Future of Work conference was the same hackneyed line which is a strong collective voice for workers will set us all free. FFS, no wonder the left’s fucked.

  3. greywarshark 3
    16 April 2016 at 11:58 am

    Chris Trotter’s latest column will add another dimension to this discussion. He is the little boy watching the passing parade of National Party troops and supporters, who has quavered, ‘But the Emperors have no clothes on!’
    (And they bloody well don’t care, so don’t bother to point out the fact. And, ‘Watch your language too, peasant’.)
    http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/the-new-black-is-blue-nationals-grip-on.html

  4. Tautoko Mangƍ Mata 4
    16 April 2016 at 12:11 pm

    “Job losses everywhere”
    So let’s hurry and ratify the TPP and lose another 6000 NZ jobs by 2025! ???
    http://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/Pubs/wp/16-01Capaldo-IzurietaTPP_ES.pdf

  5. Alex 5
    16 April 2016 at 3:57 pm

    IRD produces nothing and only needs so many staff because their systems are so outdated and our tax requirements are so complicated. I take the announced job cuts as a positive sign that they are finally getting their act together. The $105 million dollars saved each year (conservatively 1500 x $70,000=$105,000,000) would be better in health, education or my pocket. I have some knowledge of IRD and as a result have some sympathy for the affected people. The average length of service of an IRD employee is an astonishing high 11 years (unheard of in today’s public sector) so they have little exposure to anything else and because of the processed focused nature of their work they will have few transferable skills.

    • Henry Filth 5.1
      16 April 2016 at 5:37 pm

      IRD produce money to fund the roads you drive on, to bail out the finance companies you invest in, your entire social environment is funded by what IRD produce.

      300 ml of glycerine, with a warm rabbit if required. Twice a day until the swelling goes down.

      • Colonial Viper 5.1.1
        16 April 2016 at 5:53 pm

        The Crown doesn’t need to delete electronic numbers from your electronic bank account in order to create new electronic numbers in the Crown’s electronic bank account.

        Just so that the Crown can spend back into the economy by creating larger electronic numbers in electronic bank accounts throughout the rest of the country.

      • Alex 5.1.2
        16 April 2016 at 6:30 pm

        Henry Filth, I think you have a very different definition of production than me. IRD administers the rules and channels the flow of tax revenue but produces nothing at all. Every person employed at IRD, every software package developed and maintained to managed revenue, every fancy brochure they design and advertising campaign they run costs us money that is diverted away from other essential services. The more cost efficient the administration the better.

        • Foreign waka 5.1.2.1
          16 April 2016 at 7:41 pm

          Well, there maybe some openings if the focus would shift to the trusts being assessed for their true liability. Perhaps some job growth even. This of cause would precipitate a willingness to have a fairer system.

        • Henry Filth 5.1.2.2
          16 April 2016 at 7:44 pm

          Do you seriously think that tax money comes from thin air?

          Step up the glycerine to 350ml, I think.

          • Alex 5.1.2.2.1
            16 April 2016 at 7:56 pm

            Henry Filth … I’m starting to think you’re trolling now : )
            I seriously hope that you understand where tax money comes from – our income. IRD doesn’t just magic it out of nowhere. I would ask you the same question based on your take on things.

            • greywarshark 5.1.2.2.1.1
              16 April 2016 at 10:55 pm

              It is true that tax comes from our income but that is often taken to mean tax on wages. Of course our income provides money for spending thus giving government a whopping 15% GST on just about everything. We should always spell that out because it is a very insidious tax, a highwayman’s tax which makes everything more expensive for poor people and the wealthy may be able to avoid it I believe.

              • Colonial Viper …
                17 April 2016 at 1:19 am

                Labour introduced GST and they are going to keep GST.

                • Jester …
                  17 April 2016 at 3:54 pm

                  And oddly enough Labours go to man for policy, Gareth Morgan is suggesting an increase to 20%

                  Go figure…

                  • joe90 …
                    17 April 2016 at 4:03 pm

                    Labour’s go to man – and you know this.. how?

                    • Jester …
                      17 April 2016 at 4:29 pm

                      Considering Grants future or work policy was almost a cut and paste from the Economist, it stands to reason that Grant didn’t come up with his UBI think tank and talking points all on his own.

                    • joe90 …
                      17 April 2016 at 4:38 pm

                      Of course, it stands to reason is you just knowing shit…..

            • Henry Filth 5.1.2.2.1.2
              17 April 2016 at 5:31 pm

              Janet works amid the dreaming spires of Queen Street, writing loans for a bank. Each day, she writes mortgage deeds and loan agreements.

              As the result of her endeavors, loans are made, and money is created. Can this happen without Janet? I suggest not.

              Johan works down the glass canyons of Featherston Street, reconciling GST returns for IRD. Each day, he issues infringement notices, invoices are sent, and money is received.

              As the result of his endeavors, taxes are collected. Can this happen without Johan? I suggest not.

              Perhaps you have over-warmed the rabbit?

    • joe90 5.2
      16 April 2016 at 9:13 pm

      our tax requirements are so complicated.

      But but….world class….22nd ranking out of 189 economies in its ease of paying taxes….
      /

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/300644/nz's-'world-class'-tax-system-defended

      http://www.pwc.co.nz/media-centre/news-releases/new-zealand-retains-22nd-ranking-in-ease-of-paying-taxes/

      • greywarshark 5.2.1
        16 April 2016 at 10:58 pm

        We are always being told that we like to keep our tax law simple! That’s why we can’t have GST removed from foodstuffs, because the computer software could not handle the complicated exceptions etc. I thought our tax slogan was KISS – keep it simple stupid.

        • Stuart Munro 5.2.1.1
          17 April 2016 at 6:15 pm

          Well the Australians manage it.

          But in fairness, no Australian is as stupid as Bill English.

          $120 billion worth of stupid.

        • BM 5.2.1.2
          17 April 2016 at 6:22 pm

          Does it actually work though?, gst is only 10% in Australia.

          Has there been a massive uptake in the amount of purchased fruit and veg because of this no GST policy.?

          Personally, 50 cents of $5.00 a kilo of tomatoes isn’t really going to make me rush down to the supermarket and buy buy buy.

          • Stuart Munro 5.2.1.2.1
            17 April 2016 at 6:37 pm

            That’s because you can afford $5 tomatoes.

            We have 300 000 children in poverty & their 600 000 parents, plus many poor single people. They need it. But of course paying for Key’s tax evasion is more important.

            • BM 5.2.1.2.1.1
              17 April 2016 at 6:43 pm

              Should fruit and veg be free?, lets be honest 10% off is nothing.

              • Stuart Munro …
                17 April 2016 at 7:42 pm

                If it’s nothing it should be off.

                People should grow more of their own of course, but to do so they need their own property. And the speculators are putting that out of reach for their own selfish antisocial purposes.

      • Henry Filth 5.2.2
        17 April 2016 at 5:22 pm

        And where does New Zealand fit in terms of NOT paying tax?

  6. Incognito 6
    16 April 2016 at 10:52 pm

    These job loss numbers are only part of the story, the tip of the iceberg.

    They don’t tell you anything about the increased stress that many workers experience because they increasingly worry about keeping their jobs and paying the ever-increasing costs of living despite inflation at an all-time low.

    They don’t tell you that many salary-earners work harder and longer for free (!) just to stay in the job. Many employees are owed lots of annual leave and overtime. In fact, staff at the DHBs are collectively owed millions of hours equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars.

    They don’t tell you that people are not demanding better pay and/or working conditions for fear of being labelled as demanding, poor ‘team players’, or trouble makers.

    The reality is that job security is certainly not moving upwards and that levels of general insecurity are on the rise. However, I’m sure that Key is very comfortable with this and English feels justified in his attacks on ordinary New Zealanders who cannot and will not ever see the Brighter Future.

    • Jono 6.1
      17 April 2016 at 4:31 am

      It’s a two edged sword. On one hand they push the whole work hard culture and on the other they are trying to make it as hard as possible to stay in what they are encouraging. If this was fiction I could understand it but unfortunately it’s not…

      I worry where this country is going I really do.

    • Jcuknz 6.2
      18 April 2016 at 7:51 am

      As one who was made redundant 25 years ago with just a few months on the dole before Nat Sup was available [ thanks to Mr Muldoon] I truely feel for the workers of today … it is so different from the working conditions I worked under in both private and public sectors previous to my being put on the shelf.

  7. Thinker 7
    17 April 2016 at 9:18 am

    Lately, I’ve been asking myself a question (not being an economist).

    If the farmers have to stand on their own feet, and can’t be bailed out by the government, then some of them lose their farms and the banks lose the value of their mortgages.

    Then, if the past recession is to go by, we bail out the banks, because they are too big to fail.

    So, why didn’t we just bail out the farmers, which would have enabled them to meet their mortgage payments during the downtime, and that would also have left the banks without their own cash crisis?

    • Gabby 7.1
      17 April 2016 at 10:07 am

      But then the banks don’t get to sell the farms.

    • Reddelusion 7.2
      17 April 2016 at 3:01 pm

      You answered your own question thinker, there is a common vested interest for farmers and banks to work through this themselves rather than creating a moral hazard by the government bailing out anybody. The government should only step in if there is threat to the overall financial system which in this case there is not, the odd farm will go under( as do many businesses every year), no bank will fail

      • Stuart Munro 7.2.1
        17 April 2016 at 6:19 pm

        Yup – it’s a marvellous system – the farms will go belly-up, the banks will sell them offshore, and the value of the farms will come into NZ as foreign exchange so that Bill English can stall the IMF for another couple of days. Brilliant.

  8. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 8
    18 April 2016 at 8:07 am

    10,000 fewer people are unemployed than in the past year.

    In the year to December 2015:

    * the unemployment rate fell to 5.3%, the lowest since March 2009

    * unemployment rates are lowest in Canterbury (3.9%), and in Southland and Taranaki (both 4.1%)

    * employment increased by 1.3% over the year, an increase of 31,000 people.

  9. Jcuknz 9
    18 April 2016 at 8:16 am

    I think Gormless might answer the question “employed at what?” which would be more to the point.