Living wage limbo for govt cleaners and security guards

Government workers have been left wondering if a pay bump, promised by a coalition party, will happen.

The living wage has been announced at $27.80 an hour, but some government workers such as caterers, cleaners and security guards are not sure if their wages will be increased to match this, despite a campaign promise from New Zealand First.

Living Wage Aotearoa organiser Teisa Unga says it’s been a tense time for workers, with the majority coming from Pacific communities.

“It’s frustrating, waiting to hear from them because there are so many people out there who are just nervous whether they’re going to be able to afford bread and butter next year, whether they’re going to be able to afford uniforms next year, especially with school lunches that might be scrapped.

“Growing up in South Auckland we all know the difference just even $1.80 makes, or as we say in Tongan, fakalava ae fakatau (being able to pay).”

Unga says the scrapping of Fair Pay Agreements has made it more difficult for low-wage sectors to campaign on minimum income levels, but the last round of pay rises eased the pressure on families.

“One of the workers that we spoke to last year said they were able to buy a brand new jacket for their grandchild, and the other one said ‘I was able to finally take time off work to take my kids to youth groups’.”

Watch the full interview with Living Wage Aotearoa organiser Teisa Unga on Pacific Mornings:

Speaking to ‘Alakihihifo Vailala on Pacific Mornings, cabinet minister and New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says these are all factors they are considering ahead of next month’s budget.

“No one should doubt the track record of New Zealand First having continually fought for an upward lift in our minimum wage … but obviously, parity between the living wage and those on the minimum wage has implications for the government's budget, so I have to wait until that budget is finally revealed.”

Jones acknowledged that the New Zealand working week is one of the highest in the western world.

Meanwhile, Unga hopes the government will commit long-term to matching the living wage, so workers will have their questions answered.

“They've got families to run, and they've got people to look after and a community to go back to, and if we don't pay them enough, they won't have time to take part in democracy or even civil society.

“How can we expect them to go and have time to spend at church or with their families when they're not even being paid enough to do that and they're having to work overtime just to make ends meet?”
Watch the full interview with NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones on Pacific Mornings: