MTA criticises 9-day fortnight scheme

Car dealers are not happy about the Government's nine-day fortnight scheme.

They say the scheme does not support small businesses, because it only applies to those with 100 or more workers.

MTA Chief Executive Stephen Matthews says it is a mistake to exclude the small business sector, which make up 96 per cent of New Zealand businesses.

He will be taking up the matter with the ministers involved.

The nine-day fortnight involves the Government paying workers $12.50 for five hours of their usual ninth day of working.

It was originally thought workers would undergo training on that day, but the Government said that was too difficult to organise and workers will effectively now have the day off.

The scheme is for businesses at risk of having to make redundancies as a way to help them keep staff.

- NEWSTALK ZB