Darien Fenton
Spokesperson on Transport Safety
Associate Spokesperson on Labour

15 June 2009 Media Statement

Oz wage catch-up starts with the cleaners

Labour MP Darien Fenton says that the National Government’s stated aim of reducing the income gap between Australia and New Zealand should start with the lowest paid workers in New Zealand.

“Today is International Cleaners Day, and while cleaners made real progress under the Labour government, there is unfinished business that needs the urgent attention of the National government,” says Ms Fenton.

“Labour signed an agreement with the cleaning industry and the union to work together to create better jobs and better pay. While in government Labour funded better pay for Hospital and School Cleaners, but now National is in government, the agreement seems to have stalled.

“There’s now a large gap in pay between hospital and school cleaners and the cleaners working in government departments and downtown buildings. And there’s an even bigger gap between New Zealand’s private sector cleaners who are paid $12.55 an hour and Australian cleaners, who now earn $21 an hour.

“While we’ve heard a lot of rhetoric from National about reducing the income gap between New Zealand and Australia, we’ve yet to see any real action. That’s not good enough for low paid cleaners.

“Cleaning jobs are vital to the smooth operation of our economy and society. Without the hard work of cleaners, the hospitals, offices, shopping malls, airports and a myriad of businesses wouldn’t function. And with swineflu on the increase, their work is more important than ever.

“Today, on International Cleaners Day, Labour expresses its strong support for the workers who are so often out of sight out of mind, but yet so important to our everyday lives,” says Ms Fenton.

ENDS

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