Hospitality Magazine

Ideology versus practicality

It is disappointing when it seems that ideology gets in the way of practicality when it comes to some of our legislators. The Hospitality Association has recently presented to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee in support of a proposal from National MP Wayne Mapp to provide employers with the opportunity to have a trial period for new employees.

The Association argued that this was a very practical way to enhance the opportunity for disadvantaged candidates to have a better chance of getting their first job. The statistics continue to show that young people in particular continue to be over-represented in the unemployed numbers and it is also true that there is a significant number of young people who are not on a benefit, not in training or education, and are also not employed.

If employers were provided with the opportunity of a 90-day trial period some of these people would have a much better chance at getting a job and a step onto the employment ladder.

Some of the ideologs opposed to this bill believe that employers would exploit such an opportunity by turning staff over every 90 days. Clearly this is absurd as in today’s market the cost of recruitment, induction and training makes any such suggestion nonsensical from a business perspective.

While the Association was present at the Select Committee hearing, a number of union groups made their oral submissions which could be described as nothing short of a standard union response on ideological grounds which avoided the real issues. One has to wonder whether they really are genuinely considering what measures might help some of our less advantaged to get a job.

Regrettably this will be a success for ideology over practical common sense.

Bruce H Robertson
Chief Executive
Hospitality Association of NZ

15 September 2006 H:hr6r6108.doc