Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Poverty on Union Agenda
Poverty on Union Agenda
Experiences of child poverty, low pay and sub-standard housing will be heard at a major public meeting organised by trade unions in South Auckland this weekend.
The Facing Poverty workshop has been planned by the Council of Trade Unions to address poverty and low incomes.
Convener Jill Ovens says the workshop is a response to the problems of many low-paid workers and beneficiaries who are too poor to make ends meet.
“Trade unions estimate there is more than $1.2 billion of Government surplus that could be spent on education, health, and getting rid of poverty,” she said.
As much as $500 million may be in the Budget for increases in benefit payments, plus extra money for preschool and childcare, and unions supported these priorities, Jill Ovens said.
“The workshop will push for an immediate increase in benefits, universal benefit entitlements, better labour laws, help with housing costs and the proper funding of health and education through a more progressive taxation system.”
A UK expert on child poverty, Adrian Sinfield, joins Susan St John from the Child Poverty Action Group, Green MP Sue Bradford and a number of other high-profile speakers at the workshop which will be opened at the Polynesian Centre in Mangere by the local MP, Taito Phillip Field.
The Facing
Poverty Workshop runs from 10am to 3pm at the Polynesian
Centre, 90 Bader Drive, Mangere, on Saturday, May
8.
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Te Kauae Kaimahi
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.
Gordon Campbell: On unemployment, Winston Peters’ low boiling point and music criticism
Labour Party: National Gaslights Women Fighting For Equal Pay
The Treasury: New Treasury Paper On The Productivity Slowdown
NZ Government: Government Recommits To Equal Pay
Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter: Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
Te Pāti Māori: Māori Unemployment Rate Increases By More Than Four-Times National Rates
Government: Streamlining Building Consent Changes
