Government continues to have no plan for high Maori youth unemployment Hone Harawira, MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau In question time yesterday Hone Harawira, MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, asked Minister of Finance, Hon Bill English, how it was acceptable that the government claims the economy is going in the right direction when Maori youth unemployment is at 22.1%, nearly four times the national rate of 6%. And the scary thing is said Mr Harawira, it could be double that if tens of thousands hadnt up and gone to Australia to find work. The Minister huffed and puffed, waxed and waned, and he even tried a bit of flattery, but the upshot of it all was that there hasnt been, isnt, and wont be any kind of plan to get young Maori into work. Part of thats because theres no plan to actually create new jobs, and part of its because the government continues to deny the ugly reality of racism in the labour market. Its no accident that alongside high Maori youth unemployment, the unemployment rate for Pacific Island youth is 25%. The government has failed to step up for our young people and provide them with a decent future. The rates even higher than when they took office. Its a clear example of the fact that the National-Maori Party coalition has been a failed experiment for Maori and needs to end quick smart. ENDS For further information please contact Jevan Goulter, (022) 088-5646.
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 23:21:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015