The Living Wage Aotearoa campaign goes from strength to strength.
In recent months, the Wellington and Hamilton City Councils have adopted a “living Wage” policy for employees, while Auckland City Council may not be far behind.
The group has also launched a living wage employer trademark, along with a formal accreditation process. “This is a major milestone in the living wage campaign and will make available for the first time a process enabling employers to become formally accredited living wage employers,” said Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand National Convenor Annie Newman.
“We can now offer employers the opportunity to publicise themselves as accredited living wage employers and offer New Zealanders the opportunity to support living wage businesses or suppliers.”
“It is wonderful to see employers who understand the benefits of the living wage to their workers, their communities and their businesses,” said Annie. “We now invite central and local government to step up and take a lead, but we would particularly like to see large employers, like banks and finance companies who are currently enjoying huge profits, to ensure their lowest paid staff members receive the living wage. We invite them to enjoy the business advantages of being known as a living wage business.”
The 2014 New Zealand living wage rate is currently $18.80, and is adjusted annually.
Visit www.livingwagenz.org.nz to support and promote the aims of this campaign. Coordinate other inequality work to complement this initiative!
