CTU President Richard Wagstaff has challenged the Prime Minister to show some real leadership when it comes to wages by setting a clear target for the minimum wage.
The call follows today’s admission by Bill English that he would find it “quite a challenge” to live on the minimum wage of $15.75 an hour, in reply to questioning from a Gisborne apple sorter.
“Bill English told the Gisborne workers that “consistent moderate minimum wage increases” are the way to “raise the floor”.
“Frankly, the National Government have a poor record when it comes to making a meaningful difference in the lives of hard working Kiwis. The minimum wage has increased just $3.75 over Nationals 9 years in Government.”
“Where is the vision? The aspiration? As a nation we should aim higher. Having a rationale for determining what the minimum wage should be, makes sense.”
“Setting the minimum wage at two thirds of the average wage provides a greater level of fairness – something Kiwis are calling for.”
“Of course lots of employers are increasingly embracing the concept of paying those they employ a wage they can actually live on – the Living Wage,” Wagstaff said.
Bill English would probably find it challenging if he had to pay a living wage to the poor shmucks who work on his farm rather than the minimum wage.
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