10 good reasons to sign the petition
450,000 are paid less than $15 an hour. 100,000 workers are on the mini-mum wage of $12.50 an hour. That’s not enough to live on.
30% of New Zealanders on the lowest incomes in 2004 were actually worse off in real dollars than they were 20 years ago. The top 10% were 21% better off.
Profits increased 11% a year from 2000-2004 according to the Reserve Bank. On the other hand the OCED says the average worker only got an increase of 1.7% in the 10 years from 1995-2005.
There is no proven link between unemployment and wage increases according to NZ Treasury research. In fact there is some evidence wage increases actually stimulate the economy.
Unemployment dropped from 11% to 4% and inflation has stayed low over the last 25 years, even though the minimum wage doubled from $6.12 to $12.50.
Superannuation was set by Parliament at 66% of the average wage for a couple because it was seen as fair. Yet the minimum wage for a full-time worker is less than 50%.
Other state benefits are automatically increased every year by the inflation rate. Workers have no guarantee. Many get nothing.
The Labour, Green and Maori parties support $15 an hour. So does the Council of Trade Unions.
The Australian minimum wage is NZ$17.50. National says they want pay parity with Australia and that our wages are too low.
$15 is a good start. It’s time for a fairer balance between a living wage and a company’s profits. After all, there is no business without workers
Support the Campaign for a Living Wage
This petition is organised by the Unite Union – a union with many low paid workers. It is supported by many other organisations and trade unions.
If 300,000 people sign this petition before 1st May next year the government has to ask every voter in the country to vote on whether to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
A victory will make it easier to lift all wages (even for those paid over $15 an hour)
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