Canterbury business leaders do not expect economic conditions to improve soon. (File photo)
Almost half of Canterbury’s business leaders expect economic conditions to worsen in the next year, and three quarters are finding it tougher to get staff than a year ago, a new survey reveals.
The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly survey canvassed the views of senior business leaders this month. It covered all industry sectors and business sizes.
Most of those responding did not think the Government was performing when it came to managing the nation’s economy.
Those struggling for staff wanted the Government to loosen immigration requirements to allow more workers in.
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The chamber’s chief executive, Leeann Watson, said the number of respondents expecting conditions to worsen was significant.
A quarter thought conditions would be similar in a year, while just 2% expected an improvement.
“The regional economy will deteriorate further before it gets better – that is the message we are hearing from our business community.”
CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff
Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson says the number of businesses expecting economic conditions to deteriorate is significant. (File photo)
She said that as well as 75% finding it harder to get new staff, half the businesses said it was tougher keeping existing workers.
“The constrained labour market and access to workers from overseas continues to be the biggest barrier to business,” Watson said.
Forty per cent of those surveyed said they were having to turn down business opportunities due to having insufficient staff.
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
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In addition, 53% said the workload on their staff was increasing and 48% said this was negatively affecting staff wellbeing.
Three-quarters said the worker shortage was pushing up wage costs.
Almost half of the business leaders said they were recruiting for new staff overseas.
Last month, the June Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index recorded a big jump in the number of Cantabrians expecting their financial situation to worsen, compared to three months earlier.
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