Darien Fenton MP
8 May 2008
Media Statement
Reach Media paycuts show urgent need for legislation
Labour MP Darien Fenton says the actions of Reach Media in cutting the pay of their deliverers demonstrates the urgency
of legislation to provide minimum wage protection for such workers.
"Reach Media pays a miserly 25 cents an hour to their deliverers and because they are employed as independent
contractors, they have no entitlement to minimum wages" says Ms Fenton.
"Under my Minimum Wage and Remuneration Bill, vulnerable contractors, such as deliverers will be entitled to the minimum
wage."
The Bill is due for its second reading on the 21st May and has the support of Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party.
"Reach Media is just one of many examples of workers being denied a socially acceptable minimum wage because they are
independent or dependent contractors. The soon this is remedied the better, says Ms Fenton".
ENDS