Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Alliance Delivers On Youth Minimum Wage

The Alliance has honoured its pre-election pledge to improve the wage rates of young New Zealand workers, Youth Affairs and Associate Labour Minister Laila Harré said today.

Following last year's minimum wage increase Laila Harré announced an immediate review of the youth minimum wage.

Today she announced a pay rise for an estimated 20,500 young workers.

"The Alliance saw resolving issues for workers under 20 as a key priority, and broad consultation showed that even employers were astonished at just how low the youth minimum wage rate really is."

"This policy will bring the lowest paying employers up to scratch, and improve the entitlement of young workers with very low bargaining power."

Laila Harré said lowering the eligibility for the adult minimum wage to 18 will ensure that low-paid young people will receive wages that reflect the value of the work they are doing, not their age.

"This government does not agree with those who believe the employment of young people should depend on their willingness to work for completely inadequate wages.

"Fortunately, the evidence of wages paid to young workers shows that fair employers don't agree with this either, and there is widespread support for these changes."

Gaining minimum wage protection for under-16s is the Alliance's next priority for young workers, Laila Harré said.

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting 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.

© Scoop Media

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


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages 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.