It’s time for a living wage - NZNO
A living wage of at least $18.40 an hour for a family with two children and both adults working (one full time and one
part time) must be supported by employers and the Government says the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO).
NZNO industrial services manager, Cee Payne says, “NZNO has 46 000 members throughout the country working as nurses,
midwives, kaimahi hauora, health care workers and allied health professionals. A much larger number than one might
expect are struggling at or well below the living wage.”
“Aged care workers in particular are paid at, or only slightly above, the minimum wage of $13.50 an hour. We expect
these workers to provide excellent care for our elders, while at the same time ignoring the fact that they are living in
poverty.”
“Poverty is the root cause of much ill health and inequality in this country. Those who are struggling to survive on
incredibly low wages are also the people who face barriers to accessing health care, education and other social services
when and where they need them,” Payne says.
“Committing to a living wage of $18.40 would be an investment in New Zealand’s workforce, with benefits coming from
higher productivity, lower staff turnover and a reduction in spending needed for health and other social issues.”
ENDS