Todays announcement of a below inflation increase to Minimum wage for 2025 shows immense disrespect to workers.
It is an indefensible attack on working people and will only serve to inflame poverty and undermine a weak economy.
When CPI is 2.5%, and rent increases average 4.1%, to increase the minimum wage by only 1.5% means that somehow the poorest families will need to do more with less. Workers will be almost $20 a week worse off under this government.
Unite Union is New Zealand's union for Hospitality workers. Unite Union Assistant Secretary, Ben Peterson said:
"Sucking money out of the pockets of workers will hurt them and their families, and also further suck money out of a stuttering economy, exacerbating the current economic woes the country is facing."
"We need a government that is capable of protecting the wellbeing of all working families. Instead, we have a coalition that is allowing its ideological mantras to actively drive up poverty among working people."
"To be clear, Brooke Van Velden's decision means that this Christmas working parents will be wondering if they will be able to afford gifts for their children next year. "
"Working people should not accept this. Unite Union will be seeking meaningful pathways to living wages in their 2025 wage negotiations, with companies like KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, and other hospitality employers. All workers unhappy with this decision should join Unite to be part of the movement. "
"Where a government fails, workers should seek out their unions to get what they deserve. "
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