By Patrick Gower
National wants to introduce cheaper rates of pay for young workers.
John Key announced the new starting out wage today, four months after 3 News revealed National was working on the idea.
The cheaper rate of $10.40/hr will apply to some 19 and 20 year olds.
Monique Hodge-Kelly is 18-years-old and takes fast food orders for the minimum wage of $13/hr.
But under a new National government, the hourly rate for workers her age could take a drop.
Understandably, she is not impressed.
“I'm 18 and to work with people who are older… if we have the same abilities I don't see why we should be paid any less,” she says.
Today, Mr Key turned the screw on cheaper youth rates another notch.
“We need to provide every incentive to get youngsters into work. And the young people that I meet when we go round the country - what they say to me is.. ‘give me a job opportunity’.”
That means you will get paid less if you are:
- 16-17 - and in the first six months of a job
- 18-19 - and coming off a benefit - you'll get it for six months
- 16-19 - and also doing a recognised industry training course
- 20 plus years old - and doing certain levels of industry training
And the employers Mr Key announced it to lapped it up.
But teenagers 3 news spoke to are not fans, including those not old enough to vote.
“Other people are voting about something that's going to affect me and my life and that's just not fair,” says on teenager who spoke to us.
“I don't get a say, I don't get a decision - that's not ok.”
3 News revealed National was looking at some form of cheaper youth rates back in June - at the time, the Prime Minister played it down saying “theoretically it’s a possibility”.
Labour says the policy is unfair - and it will not help the 24,000 under 20's out of work, education or training.
3 News