Maori Party to block 90-day probation bill

National MP Wayne Mapp's controversial members bill proposing a 90-day probation period for new employees looks set to fail after the Maori Party decided to oppose it.

The party announced today it would vote against the Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill.

Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples said they wanted the bill to go to a select committee to provide an opportunity for people to have a say on the concept of probationary employment.

The party said it would always support initiatives to increase and improve Maori employment levels and was keen to promote opportunities for Maori businesses to thrive, by enhancing proposals to be worker friendly.

Outstanding issues included Maori joblessness and inter-generational unemployment; the reality that employed Maori were the bulk of the working poor; and institutional racism.

"We will continue to advocate for initiatives to address these, but as for the Mapp Bill, our decision has been that we cannot support the bill, and we will be voting against it when it next comes before the House," Dr Sharples said.

- NZPA