Same Work Same Pay Media Release

26 February 2013

98% Of Submissions Against Youth Rates Ignored

The Same Work Same Pay campaign says 98% of submissions on the Government's Starting Out Wage Bill are set to be ignored, as the Government intends to ram through a law to cut the pay of young people.

Same Work Same Pay Spokesperson James Sleep says "98% of submissions were opposed to cutting the pay of young people, however the majority report to be discussed in Parliament today recommends bringing in youth rates on 1 May 2013."

"The Government intends to pass legislation that will cut the pay of young workers. Submitters to the Select Committee were overwhelmingly against this draconian action but their submissions are set to being ignored."

Sleep says "the Government is abandoning young people by passing legislation that will leave them with less income in their pocket, and no better off."

"Cutting the pay of young people won't create jobs. The Government is turning its back on young people who need a huge investment boost from the Government, not a cut to their income."

Sleep says the Government is placing a huge burden on the shoulders of young people, because of its failure to facilitate the growth of jobs.

"Thousands of young people affected by this draconian Bill will live away from home, paying the same living costs as most other New Zealanders. $10.80 is a poverty wage, not living wage". www.sameworksamepay.org.nz

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>