The Labour Party’s plan to pay employers up to $22,000 to hire people at risk of long-term unemployment has been welcomed by BusinessNZ and the Council of Trade Unions. The party’s targeted hiring subsidy was limited to 40,000 people, and the average rate paid to employers was expected to be $7500. “It may also act as a strong incentive to employ those who are most at risk of unemployment. Over 20,000 New Zealanders were receiving the Covid-19 Income Relief Payment, and more were on the unemployment benefit, Ardern said. "It is great to see Labour’s clear commitment to support getting people into work and supporting those whose jobs might have been on the edge due to Covid.

Source: Stuff August 08, 2020 05:15 UTC