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The latest increase in the minimum wage is long overdue - but pay should be better structured, relating to skills and time spent on the job. That's according to Neil Chapman, area organiser for the National Distribution Union in Onekawa, who said the rise was welcome, but it was not enough. "This really is a quantum leap, but we think $12 should be the minimum and this will not be targeted by the Government until 2008. We believe there should be some relief immediately, especially as we are experiencing such prosperity in the business world. "There are a heck of a lot of young workers in the workforce in the retail sector, particularly in service industries. |
| "The sad part about it is that a lot of them become very accomplished and skilled, but even after two or three years in the job they are still on the same rates.
"There should be some recognition in the time spent and the skills required." "There is some relief for youth rates, but we should be living in age discrimination-free society. "The Government does have some provision to issue guidelines on pay structure relating to skills and time in the job." The Government yesterday announced the adult minimum wage would rise from $10.25 to $11.25 an hour from April 1, the single biggest increase since Labour came to office in 1999. The minimum youth rate - for workers aged 16 and 17 - and the minimum training wage will increase from $8.20 to $9 an hour. The Government is committed to lifting the adult rate to $12 an hour by 2008 and the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) said the announcement meant the next increase would bring it up to that. "We think conditions exist now for a $12 minimum wage. "Unions will continue to put the heat on companies who stubbornly pay rates at around the minimum wage level and who are responsible for our low wage crisis," said CTU secretary Carol Beaumont. But Business New Zealand chief Phil O'Reilly believes wage rises should be linked to productivity and unskilled workers could suffer. "As the economy flattens off, I think you might see less of those people will tend to get jobs because the Government is making it more expensive to employ them," he said. In April, New Zealand workers will get a minimum four weeks' annual leave entitlement. |
$1 an hour wage boost for low paid
Submitted by Joe Hendren on Tue, 19/12/2006 - 9:00am.
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