Businesses nervous of change

By GEOFF CUMMING

Some of the country's "creators of wealth" would rather shut up shop than do business under planned employment laws.

One manufacturer who placed a 30-year enterprise on the market told the estate agent: "I'm not going to let any bloody union see my books."

The owner, whose firm made a $400,000 profit last year, refused to discuss his concerns about the Employment Relations Bill with the Weekend Herald, saying it might affect the impending sale.

But other businesses have raised the spectre of shifting to Australia in submissions on the bill. A select committee considering changes to the draft will on Tuesday begin final deliberations before reporting to Parliament by August 1.

Leading business broker Clyth McLeod said some owners had listed businesses for sale citing the new law. But he said this was the exception rather than the rule.

Employers say the bill is a big factor in the drop in business confidence.

A Silverdale firm said: "By imposing on us the further constraints of the proposed Employment Relations Bill, we would almost be impelled to shift our business to Australia."