Minimum wage while studying equals poverty

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Minimum wage while studying equals poverty

3News NZ

Kelly Belsher and her son have to survive on minimum wage

Kelly Belsher and her son have to survive on minimum wage

Kelly Belsher is a solo mother of two who refuses to go on the domestic purposes benefit.

She could be a lot better off every week if she relied on social welfare.

But instead Kelly chooses to work as a cleaner earning the minimum wage while she studies at university.

But that $13.50 an hour isn't quite enough to keep her out of poverty.

She'd like to get paid enough so that she could afford to have enough milk or bread, and supports the union push for a living wage.

She told Lachlan Forsyth, an extra couple of bucks an hour could make an enormous difference.

Watch the video for the full report.

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Comments

25/05/2012 9:49:38 p.m.

Kylene wrote:

Guess what?? I'm a mother of four children, and I studied a diploma in business and worked fulltime. Which gave me a minimum wage of 13.50 to 13.75, this is within the fast food industry. Wow!! What a huge increase, and yes, I was on the DPB, and still can't afford those labeld clothing and shoes for my teenagers,and a nice roast lamb every week. Yes, I have a father to my children, he's a beneficiary, which would amount up to 2.50 per seek per children, that could pay maybe loaf or two of bread a week. Why, should I have to travel to Australia to experience a better lifestyle. Me and my family were born here and take pride in our country, although the suffering begins, you ain't going to take my pride and strength from raising my family here Mr John Key. You can't take away my dignity, as their are better days ahead where my family and I no longer have to suffer in society.

25/05/2012 8:12:03 p.m.

Heather wrote:

For what it's worth: Keep going! You're doing SO amazing, and you have my support and prayers! WE need more people like you in this country. As someone who's been there, please take assurance that things can and WILL get better! Chin up. You're so close, so keep going. Best wishes for all you do, and for your children.

25/05/2012 5:48:22 a.m.

R J Jordan wrote:

In answer to 'where is the Father???
In a Shelter or ON THE STREET !!!

24/05/2012 8:56:53 p.m.

John wrote:

Where do you all think money comes from? If you have enough money to buy beer and go to the casino and are on the dole then where do my tax dollars go? I think food stamps or food parcels should be in order not money. If you cant make good choices then they should be made for you.

24/05/2012 4:05:49 p.m.

Malcolm wrote:

I know that McDonalds in Hastings made an after tax profit of 1M dollars in its 1st year of operation and the owners live in a 3m dollar home so how would making the minimum wage $27 per hour heart this company IT WOULDNT !!!

24/05/2012 2:33:48 p.m.

Mike B wrote:

I started off feeling soory for this family but when I realised that she only works part time and gets a top up from the government I turned cold. Why must everyone else pay for her choices in life? I studied part time while doing a full days work. I also paid for my own tuition with no allowance from the government. I must mention this was not in New Zealand, which again brings me to the point of New Zealand being a "nana nation". Lets have heaps of kids and no education and the government must pay for us to live! I do commend her for studying and wish her well. When you have qualified and are in a decent paying job, you will also look at people who want a hand out with a totaly other view poiont.

24/05/2012 2:00:04 p.m.

christina wrote:

I think Kelly is better off leaving this country. Living off $13.50 an hour with two kids...I don't know how you do it!! Go to Australia..way better money and you and your family most likely wont be living in poverty. This government is useless!! More people are struggling everyday and they areny doing JACK apart from selling our assets. What does that tell you about the government????? USELESS!!

24/05/2012 1:50:37 p.m.

Vicki wrote:

I see a lack of job creation and capital gains tax as contributing factors towards the minimum wage being used so often by employers and as to why it is so low in the first place. Housing is so expensive the government has to pay a working for families subsidy or 1/4 at least of NZ families would be without a home, if not more. The government is effectively subsidising the investors. The lack of tax on capital gains means overinvestment in the property market, lack of investment elsewhere, lack of job creation and employee numbers in excess of jobs equals poor working conditions and pay. We must start filing in the loop holes as most countries in the developed world have these initiatives. Also austerity is everywhere if you are poor, but what about taxing the big earners, the a lot more. The trickle down is a lie, it is time for the trickle up. We all deserve at least a decent home, food and resources to grow our families and enjoy life, not just those who are fortunate because they have money.

24/05/2012 12:26:42 p.m.

Sharon wrote:

I was suprised last night watching the lady commenting on the amount of money she has to live on while studyding. Firstly I admire her for her comments on wanting to educate herself and be an example to her children. But I am at a loss to understant why the Government should pay more or the wage should be greater to support her to work part time hours, receive the 330.00 she does get for a top up to do that. Does this lady realise how fortunate she is to be able to have this option. My youngest child is 28 and I know that alot of the country believe that life is so hard financially, believe me when you have a family and not professionalincomes to survive on it has always been a struggle, what I see in this day and age is people thinking that the Government should have a duty to fix that, people today make the choices they do, to study, to have big screen tv's eat takeaways as a normal everyday meal. Has this mother got a vegetable garden in does she bake because she is so fortuante to have the Government support her in time have a good income for her family. Maybe she could have studied for her degree before having children. People need to be more responsible for the choices in life that they make and not expect someone else to make it more comfortable for them. I admire this month for setting the example she is to her children and working and having the advantage to have a roof over their head and food on the table, it would be so good to hear from people who feel thankful for this type of situation I am really sick of hearing poeple complain as life is not as comfortable as they would like, we all have choices and I suspect it is the choices that some make that are making life difficult, and a roast lamb is a luxury to anyone's meal these days.

24/05/2012 12:03:32 p.m.

anita wrote:

Watching Nikau Demolition taking that extra care to return personal items is commendable. I know Diane and her daughter Helina and what people don't know or realise is how hard they work around the clock and yet they take into account peoples personal items. Keep up the good work.