West Auckland Company Champions Living Wage

Press Release: TONZU
Media Release
For immediate release Wednesday 13 March 2013

West Auckland Company Champions Living Wage!

West Auckland food manufacturer TONZU is leading by example, becoming the first business in Auckland to endorse the ‘living wage’ principle for its staff, and is encouraging other businesses to do the same.

Research shows relative poverty is becoming a growing concern as New Zealand goes from one of the most equal societies in the OECD to one of the least equal. TONZU, based in Henderson Valley, is seeking to address these trends by paying its workers a minimum of $18.40 per hour which has been independently calculated by international researchers as adequate to enable workers to not only survive financially, but actively participate in society and stimulate local economic growth.

Tonzu is also encouraging other companies to adopt the living wage for its employees and pushing local and central government, including their contractors and service providers, to commit to the living wage. This includes a range of minimum employment standards, a minimum hourly rate of $18.40, guaranteed minimum hours of work and respect for unions and collective bargaining to protect and empower workers. Jesse Chalmers, co-owner and director of TONZU, comments; “from a business perspective, our expectations are increasing staff loyalty and reducing staff turnover, and consequently reducing the frequency and cost of training new staff, which is a huge expenses for small to medium businesses.”

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