MEDIA RELEASE

26 March 2009
Minimum wage to rise on 1 April

Workers receiving the minimum wage will receive a pay rise from 1 April.

The Minister of Labour Hon Kate Wilkinson recently announced that from 1 April 2009, the adult minimum wage will increase to $12.50 per hour from $12.00.

The new entrants’ minimum wage and training minimum wage will increase to $10.00 an hour. It was previously $9.60.

Department of Labour Head of Employment Relations Craig Armitage reminded employers that they need to liaise with their payroll suppliers to ensure rates of pay for affected workers are adjusted in line with the change.

According to the Minimum Wage Act 1983, all employees aged 16 years or more must be paid the statutory minimum wage.

Mr Armitage says it is a breach of the Minimum Wage Act for an employee who is 16 years or over to be paid less than the applicable minimum rate. Any employee who believes they are being underpaid can seek information from the Department of Labour who can then assist them to resolve a formal complaint if they have one.

The Department may investigate such a complaint and may act to recover any money owing to the employee.

For further clarification, more detailed information or guidance on the minimum wage, please visit www.dol.govt.nz

ENDS

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