Almost half of New Zealand’s working population received at least one COVID-19 wage subsidy during the past two years, the Ardern government revealed in a new report.
Excluding sole traders, 47 percent of New Zealand’s labour force, or 1.2 million employees, received a wage subsidy in 2021, down from 62 percent of jobs in 2020.
However, more jobs received two or more subsidies in 2021, at 65 percent compared to 32 percent in the previous year.
Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said the report showed the scheme had served to “protect jobs and support businesses” that otherwise might have been lost.
“In general, patterns of 2021 wage subsidy distribution were similar to those in 2020 with jobs in some industries being more likely to need wage subsidies or multiple wage subsidies, especially the accommodation and food, and arts and recreation industries,” she said.
…