New Health and Safety Legislation
On the 4th of April new Health and Safety legislation came into effect. These new regulations are part of the government’s longer term “Working Safer” health and safety blueprint, a plan put in place after the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy to ensure such an incident never happens again.
More Apprentices Needed
A drastic shortage of apprentices is putting strain on New Zealand’s construction industry as work ramps up throughout the country.
The current labour market is able to support the building of 15,000 houses per year, but that is not enough to support the growth in demand.
An Increasing Minimum Wage
From the start of the month the minimum wage has risen from $14.75 to $15.25 an hour for all workers over 18 who are not in an apprenticeship.
The increase will see minimum wage earners take home $610 before tax for a 40 hour week, around $20 more than previously, which is a $1040 increase annually.
Something a Little Bit Ridiculous
China experienced nearly miraculous rates of economic growth beginning in the 1980s, which has slowed in recent years. It did that first by exporting a lot of cheap goods, and then by investing in its own economy, which means building things like roads and bridges.
China is now however running out of areas to invest in which is leading to a decline in construction work. Competition this month got so fierce competing firms have literally gotten into a brawl in the streets.
