INDEPENDENT NEWS

Scrap the Minimum Wage and Replace it with the Living Wage

Published: Tue 15 Jan 2019 11:50 AM
8th Jan 2019
Scrap the Minimum Wage and Replace it with the Living Wage
If New Zealand wants a society in which workers can live on what they earn, it’s time to scrap the ‘minimum wage’ and replace it with the ‘living wage’, says Closing the Gap spokesperson Peter Malcolm.
He says research figures for the living wage are based on fact not fiction, what people need to get to have reasonable living standards and certainly not what business thinks is the least it can get away with paying workers.
The minimum wage is currently sitting at $16.50 compared to the living wage of $20.20.
Mr Malcolm says his national group agrees with the recent calls by Council of Trade Unions for New Zealand to share the country’s productivity growth with those who are working hard yet earning less than what their expenses are.
Income/Wealth inequality is a serious problem in New Zealand with many negative consequences for our society and country. So as well as lifting the pay of those at the bottom we need to control the pay of those at the top.
Research has shown there is little if any link between high CEO pay and CEO performance — in fact, there’s more and more evidence the reverse is true, with better performing companies having the lowest paid CEOs.
“But let’s stop comparing our country to others and simply up our game and start thinking sensibly, and with equity, affordability and living with dignity in mind.” Says Malcolm
References:
Council of Trade Unions https://bit.ly/2TBk7EZ
Helen Roberts on high pay for CEOs https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/salaries-ceos-too-high-researcher-says
ends

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media