Labour Party under fire for 90-day probation comment

The Labour Party is being accused of scare-mongering over the new 90-day probation period which becomes part of New Zealand's employment law today.

The party's Labour spokesman Trevor Mallard has upset retailers with his suggestion people should not look for jobs in firms employing fewer than 20 people, because they will just be fired before their probation is up.

The Newmarket Business Association has called the comment ridiculous and irresponsible.

Association head Cameron Brewer says 80 per cent of the New Zealand's businesses are small, and they are just not in the business of hiring and firing staff for the sake of it.

- NEWSTALK ZB