
pjc wrote:funny when it comes to exports in nz,my father had a small company and employed 12 staff,had a product he could and did export,but never got a break from government like the big players did. there are a lot of small companies around who employ overall more staff than the big corporates but are overlooked. |
Tagit wrote:When you export the bulk of your catch to be processed offshore you just don't need so many local staff. I haven't noticed that the amount of fish being harvested is reducing, so I assume this is about reducing their processing costs to improve or protect profits. That is what businesses must always do, but when you have been given for free a national resource to harvest for your benefit I would argue that this creates different moral obligations around local jobs when compared to a typical manufacturer or processor. Especially when you are always using the jobs created as the ongoing justification for the continued destruction of our national fisheries. I am sure however that the fishing companies would like to argue that they have no legal obligation to do anything that doesn't improve their bottom line. |
Workers at Sealord's factory in Nelson said they were blind-sided by news their jobs could be axed as part of a restructure of its wetfish factory.
Nelson mayor Rachel Reese said the current economic situation was causing real problems throughout the country.
She said all industries need to be mindful of the high exchange rate as it is really starting to cause issues for the primary production industry.
"I think the exchange rate is having quite and impact and we've got to be mindful of that over the next 12 months.
"All industries need to be looking at change, looking at the pressures on them."
The Service and Food Workers Union said Government inaction on manufacturing is largely to blame and it is part of a disturbing trend in food processing.
pretty sad when you read this update...
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/255569/sealord-workers-stunned-at-cuts
just an update on what is happening,
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/10579904/Prospects-good-for-axed-staff
He said there was no sense in blaming Sealord or any other manufacturer for "adjusting their manufacturing to suit market conditions".
Fish, logs and other unprocessed commodities were sent to China and other relatively unregulated labour markets and brought back processed or semi-processed.
"This is clearly a failure of long-term economic policy and there is no excuse for it. Yes, the products are cheaper for consumers short-term, but the buying power erodes over time because of trade imbalances, resulting in rising unemployment and debt."
New Zealand had no business competing with the northern hemisphere in raw and semi-finished commodities, Ulsaker said.
"New Zealand needs to be niche-oriented. That way, employment stays high and manufacturing independence is achieved."
Last week Sealord fishing general manager Doug Paulin said the group sent 10 per cent of its hoki to China for processing, a figure that had steadily declined and would continue to fall, with 15 per cent processed in Nelson and the remainder at sea.
Sealord has begun consulting with its staff and union officials on the proposal, with no time-frame for a decision given.
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