Wage discrimination bill reaches next stage

There will be one last chance for Parliament to amend Green Party MP Sue Bradford’s private member’s bill, originally aimed at abolishing wage discrimination for 16 and 17-year-old workers, when it undergoes its committee stages debate in the House this afternoon.

“I am pleased by news last night that the Government and New Zealand First are willing to support a further amendment which will strengthen the bill as reported back by the Select Committee,” Ms Bradford says.

The latest amendment changes the Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Amendment Bill so that young workers will become eligible for full adult rates of pay after either their first 200 hours in paid employment once they turn 16, or after their first three months on the job, whichever is the sooner.

This is a significant improvement, as for some young people it would have taken six or even nine months to clock up the 200 hours to become eligible to move to the full adult wage.

“I am further heartened by news last night of the deal which has been struck between the NDU and Progressive Enterprises which will, among other things, mean that young workers under 18 – including 15-year-olds – will move to the full adult wage rate after either 200 hours or three months on the job.

“I congratulate both the union and employer on reaching this agreement and hope other retail employers will follow their lead in doing even better than the compromise bill I will be shepherding through the House later today.

“While I remain disappointed that I was not able to convince a majority of MPs to eliminate minimum wage discrimination for 16 and 17 year olds, I am pleased with the progress that has been made both inside Parliament and through industrial negotiation,” Ms Bradford says.