INDEPENDENT NEWS

Some Christmas cheer for low paid workers

Published: Wed 21 Dec 2005 11:41 AM
Some Christmas cheer for low paid workers
"Government's lifting of the adult minimum wage by 75 cents is an important step towards a minimum wage of twelve dollars an hour," said Ross Wilson, Council of Trade Unions President.
"Minimum wage increases are significant for low paid workers, young workers, and also help to close the gender pay gap for low-waged private sector workers such as caregivers," said Ross Wilson.
"Unions will continue to campaign for public support for a $12 an hour minimum wage and the abolition of youth rates," said Ross Wilson. "A $12 minimum wage is not unreasonable and would still be below a rate of two-thirds of the average wage ($13.50)," said Ross Wilson.
"The Council of Trade Unions acknowledges the moves the Labour led government has made on the minimum wage since 1999, an increase in 46.4% in the adult rate, which was in stark contrast to the National Party's freezing of the minimum wage at seven dollars in its final years in power in the 1990s," said Ross Wilson.
"Employers need to follow the Government's lead on wages," said Ross Wilson. "New Zealand must move to a high wage, high skill, high quality economy, and minimum wage increases come in the context of that overall strategy, alongside the need to lift skills and workplace productivity," said Ross Wilson.
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Te Kauae Kaimahi
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.
Contact NZCTU
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Level 3, 79 Boulcott Street, Wellington.
Media Contact:
communications@nzctu.org.nz
Postal Address:
PO Box 6645, Marion Square, Wellington 6141.

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