Pacific Island unemployment climbs to more than 14%
Pacific Island families are continuing to struggle as unemployment rates among the Pacific community hits 14 per cent, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says.
“The unemployment rate for Pacific Island people is double the national average and should shame the Government into action,” Winnie Laban said.
“Just over three months ago unemployment rates among Pacific Islanders was 12.3 per cent and we were being promised by the Government it was working to get people back to work. This latest increase shows their policies are not working.
“In just one year, 5000 additional Pacific Island people have lost their jobs.
“Pacific Island people, who are overrepresented in lower paid jobs, were also bitterly disappointed at the miserly rise in minimum wage announced last month.
“Many from the community are telling me they are disappointed with a lack of action from the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. She is virtually invisible in the portfolio and offering no support or ideas.
“Every day more and more people are struggling with the effects of unemployment or shorter working hours. As children head back to school many families will be wondering just how they are going to afford school uniforms and books.
“I am deeply saddened that the Government is failing so many families and that the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs has sat back and done nothing.
“The Government’s much touted cycleway is nothing more than a cruel joke. John Key personally promised that this would create new jobs, but in reality it has fallen flat,” Winnie Laban said.
