Doubt about future of T.E.P. scheme

Press, 22 July 1980, Page 6

Doubt about future of T.E.P. scheme

The uncertain future of the Labour Department’s temporary employment scheme was criticised by the Mayor of Riccarton (Mr R. W. J. Harrington) last evening; At the Riccarton Borough Council’s monthly meeting he expressed concern about the department’s “lack of policy” on the scheme. It had got to the stage where local bodies did not know what was happening, he said. ■' $/■/:' The council wanted a firm guideline on what was going to happen to the scheme in the future. “It will be a shame if the scheme as we know-it.is go-

ing- -to be abandoned,” he said. Mr Harrington said that the work which temporary employees were doing was of value to the community and to those involved. They were doing work that was worth while instead of doing nothing and getting a handout, he said. ’The scheme had not affected the employment of permanent council staff when people were available. It was a worth-while experiment that kept people occupied and was a valued contribution to the community, Mr Harrington said.