Headline: Wage gap keeps growing under National
News that the Australian minimum wage will increase to $16.37 an hour ($19.80 NZD) is yet another a reminder that the National-led government has completely given up on closing the wage gap with Australia, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues.
“We never hear John Key talking about that these days. In fact, his government is doing all it can to drive down wages.
“The National-led government has held the minimum wage down, brought back youth rates and is about to embark on the biggest assault on workers’ pay in two decades through changes to employment law.
“The government is now the low-wage King of New Zealand. They are responsible for more low-wage jobs than any fast food or retail chain.
“The problem with that strategy is that it’s been tried and failed in the past. The outcome is that New Zealand now has a huge income gap between the most wealthy and the rest of Kiwi workers.
“National only seems to care about their mates, who are doing increasingly well, while the rest of New Zealand is left behind.
“John Key’s government is out of touch with the increasing demand for a Living Wage and good employers are getting on board.
“Labour has a very different plan for New Zealand – one where decent work, wages and work conditions are part of the backbone of our country,” says Darien Fenton.
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