Media Release
12 February 2013

“Living Wage” Depends on Stronger Economy

Many Wellington businesses would struggle to pay a living wage of the level supported by Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, says Wellington Employers Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley.

She was responding to Ms Wade-Brown’s call for the council to look at paying the living wage to its workers and for Wellington businesses to follow suit.

"We would all like wages to be higher but that depends on a stronger economy, and in the present climate that just would not be possible for many businesses.

"It's a tough trading environment out there right now, and that means it's tough for everyone.

“The proposed living wage of $18 is a huge jump from the minimum wage of $13.50 and would be beyond many businesses.

“Much more important is the creation of jobs so more people are in work, and that’s what’s top of mind for Chamber of Commerce members – growing their businesses which will result in more jobs.

“Employers can pay only what they can afford and I'm sure our members would be the first in line to pay more if they could,” Ms Bleakley concluded.

© Scoop Media

World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>