Beneficiary strain on workers grows

By Alex Tarrant

The ratio of employed workers to adult beneficiaries in New Zealand fell further to 1.7 : 1 in the September quarter after being as high as 2.5 : 1 in June 2004, according to a series compiled by interest.co.nz.

The figures indicate fewer workers are supporting each of those who receive benefit payments from the government, such as the Domestic Purposes Benefit, Working for Families (WFF), and super payments for those over 65. Interest.co.nz uses quarterly beneficiary figures from the Ministry of Social Development, the Inland Revenue Department's annual report (for WFF numbers), and the Household Labour Force Survey (for number of workers) in compiling the ratio.

This would indicate that the need to grow New Zealand's add on to exporting is crucial not only to become more productive as a country but also to relieve the burden on tax payers. The CTU I am sure would like to undermine our economies under the old slogan of 'sharing the profits' but can not see that a buoyant employment market translates into higher wages (the natural result).


I just hope that voters have a good memory as spin doctors like Andrew Little and Helen Kelly can convince those that are vulnerable to these peoples hype!

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