Minimum wage rise not enough for working families

The Public Service Association says the 50 cent rise in the minimum wage which comes into effect today is too little for struggling New Zealanders.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary, said “a 50 cent increase is little relief for thousands of working families struggling to get by.”

“The Government had the opportunity to help workers struggling with the cost of living, but instead chose only a miserly increase.

“Employers paying the minimum wage are effectively subsidised by the taxpayer in the form of benefits, supplements and tax credits.

“Many workers on the minimum wage are in Government funded sectors, but they are not seeing an increase in funding to match Bill English’s rhetoric.

“It looks like the Government’s ‘rock star economy’ is just putting out a load of noise without any substance for low-paid workers,” said Richard Wagstaff.

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