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Advocacy for business by the BusinessNZ Network | |
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The Govt has failed to listen to business concerns and has doubled down on the worst elements of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill to be passed by Parliament soon, retaining the ‘compulsion’ clauses that would take away employees’ and employers’ choice about whether to take part in an FPA or not, BusinessNZ CEO Kirk Hope says. “The Bill is still non-compliant with international law, and the ILO’s response to the Govt’s actions can be expected in due course. The BusinessNZ Network will continue to advocate for scrapping this coercive legislation.” | | | |
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Businesses don't want FPAs |
The introduction of Fair Pay Agreements was one of the top concerns of businesses responding to the BusinessNZ Network Survey of Business Opinion last month. When asked about their top concerns, businesses said FPAs and other employment law changes were their third-greatest concern - after staff shortages and cost pressures. Other main concerns included immigration restrictions, hindering employers’ chances of gaining enough staff, and general uncertainty around the impact & direction of current or proposed Govt policies. | | | |
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The latest BusinessNZ Planning Forecast projects a subdued 24 months of economic growth ahead. Reduced global prices for key exports, higher input costs, supply blockages and labour shortages are weighing heavily, BusinessNZ's Kirk Hope says. “Consumers see inflationary pressures affecting disposable income, and higher interest rates are starting to bite as fixed rate mortgages come up for renegotiation, creating a challenging environment for business.” | | | |
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The BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) says the Emissions Reduction Scheme should be left to do its job. BEC’s Tina Schirr says businesses across NZ are already working hard to reduce emissions under current ETS rules, and their work should not be put at risk by proposed new requirements on top of the ETS. “Businesses recognise that adjustments may be necessary to the ETS over time, but the proposed changes could dramatically increase costs to NZ businesses, even raising the risk of their moving operations overseas.”
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NZ economists also say the Emissions Trading Scheme on its own is effective, and additional policies aren’t needed. A poll of 45 economists last month showed most believed or strongly believed that the ETS alone was more cost-effective than a mixture of policies e.g. fuel economy standards. Having got a capped ETS in place, it's now best to let it work, says the NZ Association of Economists, noting that the public’s support for emissions goals could erode if they bear unnecessarily high costs. | | | |
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Businesses supporting staff in the aftermath of an accident can now get more immediate help to enable faster return to work. Following Covid-19 and longer waiting times for ACC assistance, employers are now permitted to make referrals directly to professional return to work services without having to wait for ACC to make the referrals first. Main provider Habit Health says direct referrals are enabling 90% return to work rates and faster provision of ACC weekly compensation and medical support.
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The key annual event for exporters Go Global is in Auckland on 9 Nov. Go Global conference agenda includes current overseas market opportunities, international perceptions of NZ, exporter cyber solutions, shipping and logistics updates, insights on exporting to Asia-Pacific, and inspiring stories from NZ businesses that have started from scratch and succeeded in the business of exporting. Exporters and would-be exporters can register here
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Agriculture and food businesses seeking investment partners, new markets and technology upgrades will be part of a NZ delegation to Israel’s AgriFood Week next month. A study tour of AgTech ecosystems in Israel will include robotics, automation, alternative protein, indoor farming, aquaculture and irrigation systems, and prospects of partnering with Israeli VC funders, tech companies and distribution agencies for agricultural products and services. Pre-arranged meetings with potential Israeli business partners and venture capital providers are a feature of the tour, the NZ coordinator says,
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AdvocacyUpdate is an update on recent activity & advocacy by the BusinessNZ Network | |
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