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Government still considering youth wages

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Wed, 22 Jun 2011 3:17p.m.

She says the government is looking at a "range of initiatives" (file)

She says the government is looking at a "range of initiatives" (file)

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says lower wages for young people remain on the table as the Government looks at combating youth unemployment.

Speaking at Parliament's social services select committee, Ms Bennett, who's also Employment Minister, said 17,000 young people on benefits is "17,000 too many".

She says the government is looking at a "range of initiatives" to cut that number.

Unions are concerned young people could be paid as little as eight dollars an hour doing the same jobs as older workers.

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Comments

23 Jun 2011 07:55a.m.

Clarke wrote:

Glenn you are an idiot and always have been. Anyone knows that an 18 year old has far more stamina than an old man like yourself. Its called science.. look it up sometime, by the way you were a businessman werent you Glenn so would say anything rubbish to make this happen. People like you are visiting John Key begging for corporate welfare because you dont know how to run your business's properly.

23 Jun 2011 07:05a.m.

Glenn wrote:

Clarke, that's a ridiculous statement. I believe most older workers have more go than the younger one's, ceratinly have more desire to work anyway. Most 18 year olds can't be bothered these days.

22 Jun 2011 11:33p.m.

Ali G wrote:

Dat woman - the Paul Bennett one - she one nice lady, innit she? She really really caring to take dat money away from the young people, and to look afta the young people like dat. They only waste it on fings like food and rent, innit they?

22 Jun 2011 08:06p.m.

michael potter wrote:

the poor youth of nz can not even have pride in working when the wages are so low they can't pay their bills because there is no such thing as youth bills.
landlords will need a house full of youth just for the rent,
the mechanic will only chrge youth rates to fix their cars and the super market will have youth rate food prices.
put bennett and key on youth rates.

22 Jun 2011 07:49p.m.

Kevin wrote:

Maybe their next idea will be to bring in an even lower wage rate for even younger workers, such as $4 a hour for under 15 year olds. We could get them to clean our chimneys.

22 Jun 2011 06:03p.m.

Reiss wrote:

This is ridiculous. What about other young people who are currently employed and trying to support themselves? It is hard enough to get by on minimum wage as it is. This is going to leave those people at a HUGE disadvantage, and for what? So that the unemployed youths MIGHT get jobs. Also, it is important to consider WHY these youths are unemployed. Just because youth rates might make it easier for them to get a job, doesn't mean they should. Perhaps they are pregnant, going through a stressful family situation, physically or mentally ill? It seems like it would be a better solution to find out why these young people are unemployed and seek to remedy that, whether it be in job CREATION, encouraging them to seek higher eduation, job training, therapy etc. In addition to this, paying someone less based on their AGE alone... that's discrimination.

22 Jun 2011 05:41p.m.

Alex wrote:

Katrina: Peter's point is a correct one. Overall unemployment will remain the same in the absence of job creation - and it will mean lower overall wages, which means less money being spent which is Bad For Business.

22 Jun 2011 05:35p.m.

Clarke wrote:

Thats a load of bollucks katrina.. a more mature worker doesnt have the stamina of an 18 or 19 year old youth. In more physical jobs these kids will in general outwork most of their older counterparts. Business doesnt have a great history of being honest and neither do you Katrina. It may lead business to take on one new employee with the view to train you say?. Pfft, thats what the tax cuts for the wealthy and business were supposed to achieve. How many corporate welfare packages are you lining up for Katrina?.

22 Jun 2011 05:31p.m.

Ruby wrote:

Frankly if this is implemented and employers start paying "youth" $8 an hour, I know many people who are going to very much struggle with going to Uni. We want to work at least part time to try and pay off some of student loan, but the $8 an hour that has been talked about is just ridiculous.

22 Jun 2011 05:19p.m.

Aron wrote:

Totally agree with Peter everyone should know this will increase unemployment, So you have to ask yourself what are national up to do they want unemployment high ? It would keep wages down having a tight labor market also there corporate sponsors would like this to.