9 October 2012

Poverty pay won’t give young workers skills or jobs

“The Government’s plan to cut pay for 16 to 19 year olds won’t create any jobs or give young people any skills,” said Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota national secretary John Ryall today.

“The minimum wage is already too low for anyone to live on, and forcing our young people onto even lower rates will condemn them to poverty.”

John Ryall said calling the wage a “starting out wage” was a red herring.

“There is no evidence that reducing the pay rates for some workers to do the same job creates jobs or gives young workers skills,” he said.

“This is simply about providing cheap labour in a country where wages are already too low and low-paid workers of all ages are struggling to survive.”

John Ryall said all workers in New Zealand should receive a living wage.

“Every worker, whatever their age, should receive enough to pay their bills, put food on the table and live a decent life,” he said.

ENDS

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