PRESS RELEASE: Immediate release

Primary Health Service Calls for a Living Wage

A low cost primary health service in southern Wellington is calling on New Zealand to adopt a living wage for all New Zealand workers.
Newtown Union Health Service believes low wages are fuelling the poverty of many working people who struggle to afford the basic necessities of life and believes it is leading to poorer health outcomes.

The service's manager Fiona Osten says “Newtown Union Health Service is tomorrow joining with over 85 community, faith and union organisations from across the country to launch a new campaign for a ‘Living Wage’ that allows workers to pay for the necessities of life and be active citizens in the community”.

“Too many of our patients struggle to put adequate food on the table and pay for other necessities. Low wages are leading to people working long hours, two or three jobs, simply in order to feed their families. This is unacceptable in a wealthy country such as New Zealand. These conditions are leading to poorer health outcomes”.

ENDS.