THE New Zealand tourism industry is calling for its government to follow Australia’s lead and extend the country’s equivalent wage subsidy program.
In an open letter to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern signed by many industry associations, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) emphasised a need for government support to focus on businesses and jobs directly affected by ongoing border restrictions.
“Thousands of vulnerable workers remain desperately worried about their futures,” the letter reads.
“If there is to be no targeted wage subsidy extension, please signal as soon as possible what form ongoing government support for our devastated sectors will take.”
TIA said the most financially significant measure for the sector has been the wage subsidy, which provided NZ$545.80 per week for people working 20 hours or more a week and NZ$350 for those working less than 20 hours a week.
“Almost every business in our sectors took up the first 12-week wage subsidy and most also applied for the eight-week extension,” the letter contends.
A recent survey by TIA found a third of tourism businesses are planning further layoffs from Aug as the subsidy ends.
“We accept that not every business will survive this crisis, not every job can be saved,” TIA continued.
“But well-targeted govt support can limit the damage and give us something to rebuild from.”
“With government as a genuine partner we will survive this crisis and be able to welcome back visitors when the time is right.
To read the letter, CLICK HERE.
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Source: traveldaily