Time for a Living Wage

On the 1st of April, the minimum wage in Aotearoa went from $23.15 per hour to $23.50 per hour. Work that out; based on a 40 hour week, that gives a working person a gross income of $48,800 pa. 

This is significantly less than the Living Wage of $27.80 per hour. Where the Living Wage is independently calculated to reflect the real costs of living a dignified life, this minimum wage 'increase' is, in fact, a step backwards for hard-working people and their families. 

"The Living Wage considers basic expenses, and gives breathing room for rest, activities, or saving for a rainy day. It’s good for collective wellbeing, and our economy." 

Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand

Everyone deserves to earn enough to live with dignity. But somehow, it's become normalised for some employers to pay wages so low that workers can’t support themselves—let alone a family.

Let’s be real: No one wants to earn a low wage and then navigate government systems to get by. It’s simpler, fairer, and more respectful to just be paid enough in the first place.

[By the way - in case you think raising the minimum wage slows down economic growth, or increases prices, here's just one - of many - articles that can lay this to rest. Also, did you know that the 2021 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to three economists who demonstrated that higher minimum wages don't necessarily lead to fewer jobs? Yep.]

 But wait. There's more: 

Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis wants to axe one-third of the 71 rules agencies must follow when tendering contracts, supposedly to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to access government contracts worth $50 billion a year.

Companies who contract to the government for cleaning, catering and security guard services will no longer have to pay the Living Wage.

Union E tū said this would send some of those workers into poverty and was "heartless"." You can read more in this RNZ Report.

This decision will result in workers struggling to provide the basics for themselves and their families. What kind of message does this send to the rest of the country?

How is it that a government, tasked with building a society that is just for all, would enable and encourage businesses to pay unfair wages and to unfairly profit at the cost of hard-working New Zealanders? Why does this government seem okay with putting inequality on steroids?

Reimagining Aotearoa Together

Putting People First - a new initiative

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has launched a new policy platform, Aotearoa Reimagined -  in consultation with workers, community leaders and policy experts

."It's time for bold change:  - for a "transformative policy vision that reimagines our society and economy to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand works for the many, not just the few."

The challenge is for political parties:

- to make a strong commitment to working people by ensuring good, well-paid jobs

- to get back to a mindset of wanting to provide a world-leading public health, education, and social-support system

- to halt and reverse growing inequality - to work to provide a good life for the many. 

“We’ve spent the last year listening to workers who have told us that they are angry at a system that doesn’t meet their needs or aspirations. They fear their children are facing a future of increasing hardship.

“Everyone deserves security, dignity, and to have enough to thrive. Changing the country’s trajectory is possible—we just need to make different choices. We have listened to working people and created a plan to build a society that works for everyone. "

Visit their website here to learn more.

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