Return to youth wages is an attack on young kiwis

New Zealand Young Labour

The National Party has today announced a despicable plan to attack young people’s right to earn a decent living wage, with a return to youth wages, which will be a serious blow for young people already struggling to make ends meet.

Young Labour President Ella Hardy said "National would love to see young people starting their working life in poverty just so they can help their multinational business mates like McDonalds and Subway make a little bit extra. This appears to be a deliberate push to widen the gap between rich and poor."

"Youth rates don't do anything positive for young people or New Zealand businesses. They are just a subsidy to large employers. Policies like this just mean those over eighteen will lose jobs to younger people – it is a substitution - and evidence shows it has very little effect on total unemployment. Companies simply choose employees who they can pay less and get rid of older employees" added Hardy.

"This outrageous policy announced today, paints a clear picture for young people; that they are better off with Labour. Three months into their employment they could be on $15 an hour rather than an unliveable $10.40. In addition to this National has announced a clear attack on collective bargaining which will cause wages to drop for all employees."

"Labour's plan to ensure young people are either earning or learning, to create career pathways and to invest in apprenticeships shows that young people are valued members of society and such an investment is worth every dollar - that is the only approach to tackling youth unemployment" Hardy concluded.

ENDS

© Scoop Media