The government slashes wages again for lowest earners.
For the second consecutive year, New Zealand's government has effectively reduced wages for its lowest-paid workers. Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich criticized the decision to only raise the minimum wage by 1.5% despite a 2.2% inflation rate.
According to Ms Belich, with prices rising due to inflation, lower-paid workers will see their take-home pay decrease in real terms. The government has chosen not to heed advice from experts recommending a 4% increase in the minimum wage. Instead, they opted for a more modest rise that falls short of expectations.
This decision comes at a time when many New Zealanders were anticipating an improvement in their wages come April next year. However, with this latest move, it seems unlikely that will happen. The government's priorities have been called into question, particularly given the substantial funds allocated to landlords and tobacco companies this year, while workers on minimum wage receive just 35 cents more.
The scrapping of a top-up for workers with disabilities has also raised concerns about who the government is truly supporting. This move has sparked debate about the government's priorities and its commitment to helping those most in need.