Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Minimum pay rise not enough for struggling families
Minimum pay rise not enough for struggling families and children
A fifty cents an hour rise in the minimum wage will do little to provide relief for families struggling to feed kids on low wages.
NZEI Te Riu Roa Support Staff National Caucus Chair, Sue Nimmo says teachers and school support staff see the impact of low wages on families and children every day. Many education support staff also work on little more than the minimum wage.
“People on low incomes often have to work long hours at more than one job and still don’t manage to provide for basics. That takes a huge toll on families and children.
“Poverty has a huge impact on children’s educational success. And sadly, we’re now working with entrenched inter-generational poverty.
“Children who are hungry, cold or not getting adequate medical treatment arrive at school unable to learn properly and that has a big impact on their educational outcomes.”
That’s why NZEI Te Riu Roa supports the campaign for a living wage of $18.40 an hour.
“We want the government to fund schools so that all school support staff are paid at least a living wage.”
School support staff worker, Jo Vaughan says many school support staff, such as teacher aides, are working for less than a dollar an hour above the new minimum wage of $14.25 an hour.
“Many of those are working part-time and have little or no job security,” she says.
“Anyone on a low income can tell the Minister of Finance that food, rent and petrol prices have gone up significantly in the past year and an extra 50 cents an hour will provide little relief for family budgets.”
ENDS
NZEI Te Riu Roa
New Zealand Educational Institute
NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.
We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.
We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.
Gordon Campbell: On bird flu, AUKUS entry fees and Cindy Lee
NZ Government: New Lab To Help Protect Key Pacific Tuna Fisheries
Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter: Ruawai Leader Slams Kaipara Council In Battle Over $400k Property
Te Pati Maori: Another ‘Stolen Generation’ Enabled By Court Ruling On Waitangi Tribunal Summons
Peace Action Wellington: Die In for Palestine Marks ANZAC day
Labour Party: Penny Drops – But What About Seymour And Peters?
Government: PM Announces Changes To Portfolios
