Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Minimum wage rise not enough for working families

Minimum wage rise not enough for working families

The Public Service Association says the 50 cent rise in the minimum wage which comes into effect today is too little for struggling New Zealanders.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary, said “a 50 cent increase is little relief for thousands of working families struggling to get by.”

“The Government had the opportunity to help workers struggling with the cost of living, but instead chose only a miserly increase.

“Employers paying the minimum wage are effectively subsidised by the taxpayer in the form of benefits, supplements and tax credits.

“Many workers on the minimum wage are in Government funded sectors, but they are not seeing an increase in funding to match Bill English’s rhetoric.

“It looks like the Government’s ‘rock star economy’ is just putting out a load of noise without any substance for low-paid workers,” said Richard Wagstaff.

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.