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Maori Party: Min wage 'adjustment' is 'disappointing

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Wed, 26 Jan 2011 2:02p.m.

Pita Sharples

Pita Sharples

Prime Minister John Key's announcement that there is likely to be a "moderate adjustment" to the $12.75 an hour minimum wage is disappointing, the Maori Party says.

Mr Key yesterday said the issue of the minimum wage was expected to be addressed by Cabinet in the next few weeks.

"My guess is there is likely to be a modest adjustment, but one that reflects the economic conditions of the time."

He agreed 2 percent was a likely ballpark figure for the increase, leaving minimum wage earners about 25 cents better off.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said increasing the wage was critical in reducing poverty and addressing benefit dependency.

"What is the point of working if you're earning only slightly more than what you would get on a benefit?

"The Maori Party has always supported a minimum wage of $15 per hour because this is the minimum amount any worker needs to have an adequate standard of living."

Given the increasing cost of food, GST and petrol, Dr Sharples said it was particularly important the wage be increased significantly.

"To continue to address the minimum wage with only incremental increases tied to the Consumer Price Index will mean that we will not reach the $15 mark until 2019. And that's just not good enough."

NZPA

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Comments

26 Jan 2011 05:35p.m.

Jack wrote:

Aron, I have as a matter of course with my job done research into the state of the benefit system.

When labour was in power the base benefit rate was the equivelent of 59% of minimum wage.

The base unemployment benefit rate is currently $180.00 per week for under 25's

Compared to a take home pay of $416.00 (minimum wage) this equates to 43%

So compared to minimum wage a base benefit rate will net you 43 percent of minimum wage.

Around 50 percent if your a sick person with cancer.

And in October 2010 there was a directive issues to case managers telling them to cut all costs... whether the costs were justifiable or not.

Pita is a little wrong when he says there is no incentive at the current minimum wage... I would say to any 18-25 year old out there that getting twice as much in a minimum wage job is far better than claiming a benefit.

Its a tough life for those sick bastards stuck on the invalids benefits who arent ever going to get better.

Its a tough life for anyone on them, the benefit system under National is designed to kill, people need to have the appropriate things funded but Winz is no longer doing this.

Hope that helps your education a little there Aron.

researching wage trends is part of what i do, and under national beneficiaries will die as costs are esculating and their benefits have dramatically decreased in the last 3 years.

26 Jan 2011 05:11p.m.

Deane wrote:

God Sharples how discondescending. The government you are party to is doing nothing for your people, let alone the rest of us.

Sharples, you have ran out of excuses.

While the rich are getting richer we all are getting poorer thanks to you and you shonkey government.

26 Jan 2011 03:04p.m.

John Davis wrote:

How on earth can the Maori party disappointed? unless your out of touch, this is the National/Act party coalition the Maori party joined, its hardly surprising what National has said is totally what they and the Act party believe in, its not like they have been hiding it either doh.

26 Jan 2011 02:54p.m.

Aron wrote:

Jack you should do some research first aye.

26 Jan 2011 02:49p.m.

John. wrote:

Now you're disappointed? The Nats have never done anything for Maori apart from cosmetic tinkering and nothing has changed they are cynically exploiting the Maori Party just in case Act don't make the grade at the next election and Peter and Tariana with their large ministerial salaries and expenses and with their butts comfortably settled in ministerial limousines are sucking it up and don't want it to stop....ever.

26 Jan 2011 02:11p.m.

Jack wrote:

I think Pita needs to appreciate that minimum wage gets people $400.00 per week.

Thats double what most beneficiaries can expect from Work and Income.

Arguing that there is no incentive to work when benefits are at an all time low compared to minimum wage is a bit ridiculous.