Young people facing pay cut this week

The National Government will this week attempt to pass a law that will slash the pay of young people in New Zealand by 20%. The Same Work Same Pay campaign says this is another whack for young people feeling increasingly abandoned by their government.

“The massive burden of the Government’s failure to facilitate the growth of jobs is being placed on the shoulders of young Kiwis” says spokesperson James Sleep.

“Cutting the wages of young New Zealanders won’t create jobs. This move will lead to thousands of young people being ripped off by employers who can afford to pay decent wages and will leave young people with significantly less money in their pockets each week. For many this will be the difference between paying their rent and putting good food on the table.”

Only nine submissions, out of 531, were supportive of the Bill. A survey in 2012 showed the majority of businesses surveyed were not interested in a return to youth rates.

The Same Work Same Pay campaign was established in opposition to the Starting Out Wage Bill currently before Parliament. www.sameworksamepay.org.nz

ENDS

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