Media release Same Work Same Pay campaign
Tuesday 27 November 2012

The Same Work Same Pay campaign will be launched on the steps of Parliament today between 12 and 12.20pm with representatives from the campaign presenting hundreds of submissions to Labour and Green MPs.

Campaign launched to oppose youth minimum wage

The Same Work Same Pay campaign is being launched at Parliament today in opposition to the National Government's Starting Out Wage Bill which would cut wages for thousands of young people.

Same Work Same Pay campaign spokesperson James Sleep says a youth minimum wage for 16-19 year olds is unfair and won't solve the problem of youth unemployment.

"All workers should be paid a living wage based on the work they do and the skills they bring to the job. Paying a young person less will only take hours and jobs away from other young and older workers. The impact will be felt by workers in all age groups," he said.

Sleep says the Government is wasting a significant amount of time on a policy that has failed in the past to create jobs.

“Analysis from Government officials suggest the policy will have very little effect on tackling unemployment. Officials also note that the Government did not consider any other options for tackling the issue of youth unemployment.”

"Youth rates failed to create jobs in 1990 when youth unemployment reached an all time high. National need to pull all levers of Government to deliver apprenticeships, Government supported job placements, comprehensive employment support for all young people and better access to higher education."

Sleep says the burden of the Government's failure to drive job growth is now being put on young people.

"The youth unemployment population is big enough to fill the city of Palmerston North. These people need well supported and sustainable jobs, training or further education. The Government's lack of action is now being placed on the shoulders of Generations Y and Z."

Attached: FAQ and economic analysis of the bill
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1211/Economics_Explained.pdf

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1211/FAQ_for_media.pdf
ENDS

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