31 May 2007

Contracting out and low wages are killer combination

Taking out a contract on someone’s life took on a new meaning in Mangere yesterday, the Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota says.

Northern Regional Secretary Jill Ovens says the “gangsters” in this case were the state-owned energy retailer Mercury Energy – the hired contractor was “just doing his job” – and a woman was killed because her power was cut off.

Ms Ovens says contracting out of services means corporations like Mercury Energy are contracting out of responsibility.

“Contractors may provide the cheapest service; they don’t necessarily provide the best service, and the corporation washes its hands of all responsibility.

“As the tragic and unnecessary death of Folole Muliaga shows, contracting out engenders a callous indifference to the real needs of people. This woman and her family asked to be given a chance and their pleas were ignored.

“Some of Mrs Muliaga’s family are members of our union, struggling to survive on low wages as cleaners, caterers, caregivers, security guards. It is hard for them to pay their rent, their power and all the other demands on their meagre income.

“They owed less than $200, for goodness sake. Is that the value of a woman’s life?”

The SFWU is fighting for a liveable wage, and also for respect for all workers.

The SFWU opposes the contracting out of work in public schools and hospitals, as well as essential services such as water, electricity and transportation.

ENDS

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