3 Mar 2020

Covid-19: Phil Twyford meets forestry workers at breaking point

From Checkpoint, 5:11 pm on 3 March 2020

Suicidal workers, unpaid mortgages and families at breaking point is the situation for many forestry workers in Tairawhiti, but the Economic Development Minister says jobs to replace those affected by the coronavirus are months away.

Phil Twyford has been visiting the East Coast to speak to forestry workers and other industries affected by the economic slow down caused by Covid-19.

The forestry industry contractors associations says up 2,500 forestry workers could be out of jobs, with several hundred of them in the Gisborne, east coast area.

Mr Twyford says the government is working on ideas to bring forward government projects to create new jobs - because they understand people are struggling.