Seminar Focus on Concern for Manufacturing

Concern over the future of manufacturing in New Zealand will be the focus of a Council of Trade Unions seminar in Wellington tomorrow. Around 20 union leaders representing workers in manufacturing industries are expected to attend the seminar.

"Unions are concerned at the impact of proposed free trade agreements on the manufacturing sector," said CTU president Ross Wilson.

"We are already seeing job losses in the clothing, textile and footwear industries and as companies like Interlok pack up and relocate off-shore."

The former economist of the Manufacturers Federation, Peter Crawford, will present a paper on the future of New Zealand manufacturing, and the Minister of Economic Development, Jim Anderton, will speak on the Government's view on the sector's future.