Gloves off
1. Only 5 percent of New Zealanders are employers.
2. New Zealand already has some of the laxest employment laws in the developed world.
3. We have a low-wage economy.
4. Small businesses are trying to find ways to attract new employees.
5. Bosses are not always right.

So why in hell is National proposing a 90-day fire-at-will bill? It means that within 90 days of hiring someone, a small business employer can fire them, no questions asked. Even if the firing is totally unfair, the employee will have no recourse to legal action. This law will erode job security, particularly in low-paid environments, as most small businesses are. Wages can be kept low with threats of termination - "You'll sign this contract now stripping you of any rights to pay rises, or I'll fire you before the 90 days are up." And it will increase the likelihood job seekers will try to avoid small businesses as employers, and will instead look elsewhere. And, anecdotally, I get the impression businesses are already allowed to write in a probationary period into an employment agreement, if they think it's necessary. Example: Woman gets hired by small business. Two and a half months later, woman finds out she's pregnant. Boss says, "Fuck off, I don't want any pregnant women working here." Woman says, "but.. but.. but..." Boss says, "Don't give a shit, Go on the DPB."

This is one really fucked up way to drive up productivity and wages, if that's what National really want. But coming the same day as they try to sign their tax cuts for the rich into law? Fuck you, National. That's the end of any supposed benevolent goodwill you might have had.