Labour Leader backs the living wage

Labour Leader David Shearer will today attend the Wellington launch of Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand to support the movement to give Kiwi workers a decent income.

David Shearer has previously promoted the introduction of a living wage as a way to provide workers with the opportunity to support their families and get ahead in life.

“Kiwis are working harder than ever but are not reaping the rewards. Those on the minimum wage simply can’t make ends meet on $13.50 an hour. Labour supports lifting the minimum wage to $15 an hour but it also believes the idea of a living wage should be explored as a way to lift incomes.

“National is failing to deliver jobs, opportunities and the brighter future that it promised New Zealanders. Its economic policies are a failure. Under its watch, we’ve got the biggest ever gap between the rich and poor in New Zealand, one in five children suffering hardship and 40% of the children living in poverty coming from working families. That’s not good enough.

“National is aiming for the bottom and is happy for New Zealand to become a low-wage economy. I want better for our country and our people,” said David Shearer.

The launch of Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand will be held at 12 noon at the Wesley Methodist Church in Wellington.