Minimum wage increased to $13.50

12 Feb 2012 01:08a.m.

Chris wrote:

There really isn't an easy solution here. Its not just the minimum wage thats too low - many people who are on middle incomes are now struggling to make ends meet, due largely to the skyrocketing cost of living.

The situation isn't helped by the fact that, while the majority of us live from one pay cheque to the next, those at the top of the ladder seem to be doing better than ever. Was that last round of tax cuts really necessary, Mr Key? NZ is well on its way to becoming a low wage economy, yet the CEO's and chief exec's continue to pay themselves salaries in line with their counterparts in Australia, UK & US. We cannot sustain this level of corporate excess.

No doubt the 1 percenters will tell me to stop preaching the politics of envy, and that if I had studied a bit harder, then I might have got a better job. But we can't all be corporate high flyers and dairy farmers. Some of us have to work for a living, and if we can't earn enough here, then we'll be forced to go elsewhere. And before you tell me to shut the door on my way out, just remember that when you are old and senile, someone is going to have to wipe the drool from your chin, and change your nappy. At this rate, I would say the chances of that persons first language being English are next to zero.

10 Feb 2012 07:57a.m.

Alex wrote:

If National are not going to increase the minimum wage, then they need to find a way to reduce the cost of living. That includes inflation, something they've not been overly successful at controlling since in power. There is a lot of jobs that are necessary for society to function and many in these roles only get paid the minimum wage. This is why I support the minimum wage increasing to a more generous amount as we all know rent, food and energy prices are not going to get any better.

09 Feb 2012 02:51p.m.

David wrote:

@Kim - if you don't like the conditions of the job, you are free to leave. Accepting employment is a voluntary and contractual agreement.

08 Feb 2012 09:14p.m.

Kim wrote:

@erm..as if you wouldnt reduce your workforce if you could maintain your profit with less staff. People like you make me sick. If you reduced staff you would just try and get your remaining workers to work harder for the min wage under the threat of replacement.

08 Feb 2012 07:59p.m.

Anonymous wrote:

Ooppdie dooo~ 50c increase! and a freakin Cheif executive at Christchurch Council gets pay rise of $65,000????????? R u freakin serious???? This is not why I voted for National! What happened to your promises of increasing job numbers and securing the future? I'm moving to Aus.

08 Feb 2012 06:59p.m.

martin garrick wrote:

I would like to see all elected officials in NZ on minimum wages plus realistic expences. We/they might realise no one is worth a pay increase 2 ,3 ,or 4 times the the minimum wage.

08 Feb 2012 06:28p.m.

TheMantis wrote:

Great, a free wage rise for those Adults who are too thick/lazy to get a decent job. All this will do is push the price of everything up and force those of us that do earn a reasonable income to expend more of our unchanged income. As per usual the majority of us in the middle income bracket get nothing.

08 Feb 2012 06:18p.m.

Charen@xtra.co.nz wrote:

'Homer' why dont you get a job [and a life] instead of moaning all the time. Leftie socilaist loves to live in other peoples pocket's and till moan. Any more of any increase would have seen thousands made redundant. An independant report says this you moron. Lefties make me sick.

08 Feb 2012 05:28p.m.

Henry wrote:

Not even enough to cover inflation, what kind benefactors our government is. Really looking out for the working class!

08 Feb 2012 05:28p.m.

gilbert wrote:

We should be great full to get $13,000 a year,and the politicians on $100,000 plus a year also all the perks to go with it.Stuff them all lets riot like they do overseas take some sting out of their arses for once.