Helen Kelly

Far from young and vulnerable people getting a chance at employment under the 90 day trial period legislation, research released by the Department of Labour today shows 22% of them have had the humiliating experience of being fired without cause before they have even been in the job three months.

"The CTU understands hard copies of the research have been circulated at the National Party conference today and the figures confirm large numbers of young people are being hired and fired under the law," said CTU President Helen Kelly. "Apart from the propriety of a Government document being released at a party political conference, and not yet being available to the public, the CTU understands the Government are suggesting the research shows the trial is a success."

"It might be a success for employers who are proving to have little regard for the impact arbitrary dismissals will have on the next generation of workers, but the report appears to confirm the scheme is having severe impacts on working people."

"A large majority of businesses also say they would have hired the people regardless of the 90 day legislation, and some of the reasons why employees were fired confirm that the law is simply a charter for unfair dismissal."

The CTU is still waiting for its copy of the report.