The average Kiwi can’t work a four-day week and travel

The prime minister is suggesting people adopt a four-day working week, in order to encourage them to travel more.

May I ask how many could afford to travel at all if they were only paid to work for four days each week? Or does the PM think employers can afford to pay for workers to have three-day weekends?

I don’t know who the ‘people’ are who she reports as having told her they would travel more with greater flexibility, but the average Kiwi can’t afford to do so.

Think again, please. Vic Smith, Halswell

I’ll do my shopping elsewhere

On the announcement of Covid-19 Level 4 restrictions the Government basically granted Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises a duopoly of selling food and other essentials for five weeks. Supermarket workers were deemed essential workers and hailed as heroes. While most of us stayed home, they went to work day after day, working extra hard, yet smiling and helpful every time we asked a question.

Every day they potentially endangered their lives by going to work.

For doing this, they got a pitiful 10 per cent loading on their pay but only during Level 4.

Supermarkets were doing a roaring trade during the lockdown.

I was stunned to read this week Foodstuffs’ tone-deaf announcement that Redcliffs New World will be rebranded as a Four Square and 19 employees will lose their jobs. Given the post Covid-19 economic environment, it will be hard for them to find alternative employment. They have families to feed and bills to pay. Is this how people are repaid for their commitment to the community and their employer during a once in a lifetime pandemic?

I am certainly taking my custom elsewhere. Judit Tardi, Redcliffs