12 June 2013

Big Step Towards A Living Wage Wellington

The Living Wage Movement has today applauded Wellington Council for its vote to endorse the principle of a Living Wage and commitment to work on a plan to achieve it for all staff, including contracted workers.

"The Wellington Living Wage movement congratulates the Council for taking this principled step towards addressing poverty and inequality in our city," said spokesperson Rev Dr Margaret Mayman.

"There is a lot of work to be done in determining how this will be achieved, but it is good news for the Council workers and their families, especially the lowest paid. It is also good news for the wider community, as it is a step towards a fairer and more equitable city. And it is good news for business, as it signals that Wellington is a smart, progressive city."

Living Wage Aotearoa NZ National Convenor Annie Newman said everywhere that Living Wage movements had been established internationally, the local authority had taken the lead.

"The most important step is to commit to the principle of paying all workers, including contracted workers, a living wage," she said. "The next step is to do the work on how this can be achieved. Wellington City Council is to be congratulated for taking these steps."

Annie Newman said there was a long way to go before Wellington could be called a "Living Wage council".

"This is the great beginning and now the work needs to done on the best implementation plan to ensure all staff, including contracted workers, who are the lowest paid, receive the income they need, not just to survive, but to participate in society. We are pleased the Council have noted the need to address procurement in this process."

Annie Newman said there was growing interest from councils around New Zealand in adopting a Living Wage and the movement was growing stronger every day.

The Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ was launched in May 2012. It brings together faith-based and community organisations and unions who seek to address poverty and inequality by lifting low pay. The movement is modelled on successful living wage movements around the world.

The living wage New Zealand rate of $18.40 an hour was identified through independent research by The Social Policy Research Centre of the Family Centre in Lower Hutt.

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