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    Sweden & New Zealand, a comparative analysis of an alternative to the Employment Contracts Act 1991 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Policy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1994) Turner, Christopher John
    The Employment Contracts Act 1991 (ECA) was extremely controversial when it was introduced and it remains so to this day. In fact, the future of the ECA is very uncertain. Pressures are coming to bear upon it and it is possible that key aspects will be amended, or the Act repealed, in the near future. This thesis analyses the current industrial relations frameworks in Sweden and New Zealand. An alternative to the ECA is sought with a view to alleviating what is clearly a very imbalanced and inequitable framework. The emphasis throughout has been placed upon the social policy consequences of the application of the market-liberal/classical economic model of perfect competition to the real world. This analysis indicates that the most notable 'achievement' of the ECA (and the application of the perfectly competitive model to real world labour market problems), in all likelihood, lies in reinforcing greater income inequality (increasing wage dispersion or widening income gaps), particularly between those in strong versus weak labour market positions. Further, it does not provide, but reduces opportunity for many and, in fact, will not achieve much that it was claimed it would, without increasing income inequality. Further, it will be argued that an ECA style framework is likely to exacerbate unemployment, particularly amongst those who comprise the secondary labour market, even in a growing economy. Any country, it seems, which applies the perfectly competitive model will suffer such an increase in inequality. Sweden is no exception. The rising level of unemployment, coupled with more 'performance oriented' pay schemes are examples of the increasing segmentation which is taking place within the Swedish labour market. However, it will be argued that the degree to which income inequality increases is very dependent upon the level of decentralisation/individualisation, and general marketisation, that takes place. A range of factors (all discussed in the body of this thesis) is important. Of key importance here is the level of collective bargaining that is retained. Without the ability to organise and act collectively workers are in a very weak bargaining position relative to their employer, particularly when unemployment is high. For much of its alleged 'success', the ECA, it will be argued, relies on the coercive elements of high unemployment and employment uncertainty coupled with an imbalance of power favouring employers. Generally, should skill shortages continue and/or unemployment drop substantially, this 'success' is likely to be undermined. Increased strikes (and lockouts) may well result. Rises in such activity are already apparent. Finally, this thesis concludes by arguing for a system of contracting which provides for a greater degree of collective bargaining. Impediments to the effective operation of such a system are indicated. Two such impediments that are discussed are the low level of union density and voluntary unionism. Further, this thesis indicates that a constant testing of the ECA framework will occur before many New Zealand workers will be able to effectively protect their interests via some form of collective bargaining.
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    From job creation to training, 1840-1990 : a descriptive analysis of the development and demise of job creation policy as the mainstay of state responses to unemployment in New Zealand : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Policy at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1994) Mulengu, Andrew Punabantu
    New Zealand, for much of the present century has been regarded by other English speaking nations as boldly experimenting in the development of social policy; but is currently taking the dismantling of the welfare state further than most western countries. This thesis provides a historical analysis of job creation for the unemployed, which was provided by the state on a relatively large scale (relative to the size of the New Zealand population), from the earliest days of colonisation in the 1840s until it was virtually phased out inthe mid-1980s. The thesis examines the competing ideas and interests which conditioned the adoption, growth, fluctuations in the eventual demise of job creation as the mainstay of the New Zealand state's responses to unemployment. In particular, it examines the impact of the various sets of ideas about work and human nature which were brought to New Zealand in the course of colonisation by the British; and the extent to which the colonisers were able to recreate patterns of work and dependency from Britain. The study of job creation in New Zealand is a history of conflict based on class interests. One task of the thesis is to show how the state has responded in different periods to demands from working men for the 'right to work'. However, it is also a history of the reinforcing of ancient divisions of labour along lines of gender and ethnicity, and of the relative privileging of 'pakeha' (white, European) men in terms of their access to paid work provided by the state. Job creation for the unemployed has been a site of both conflict and compromise between (mainly male) labour and capital throughout the post-colonisation period in New Zealand. This thesis provides an in-depth study of the ways in which such conflict and compromise contributed to the development, form and eventual demise of job creation in New Zealand.