Government to work with business, trade union groups on future of work

The Prime Minister delivering her pre-Budget speech in Wellington.
The Prime Minister delivering her pre-Budget speech in Wellington. Photo credit: Newshub

The Government is setting up a three-way forum with the major business and trade union organisations to inform policies for future challenges in the workforce.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson will lead the work with Business New Zealand CEO Kirk Hope and the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) President Richard Wagstaff.

The Future of Work Forum will look at challenges facing the economy like technological advancement including artificial intelligence and robotics, and the challenges of climate change and the need for a just transition to a low carbon economy.

"No-one has the same job for life any more. We may well have several careers so it's vital that workers are equipped with the foundation skills that will enable them to transition to other careers," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at her pre-Budget speech on Thursday afternoon.

"This Government is keen to future-proof our economy, to have both budget sustainability and environmental sustainability, to prepare people for climate change and the fact that 40 percent of today's jobs will not exist in a few decades."

Ms Ardern said the forum is about "operationalising" the work the party did while in opposition with its Future of Work Commission. 

Newshub.