On stuff.co.nz today they have this article.
Now I take strong issue with this constant quest by unions for the continual raise of the minimum wage.
Sure I'm no economist, but lets be fair. The wage increase isn't across the board. I worked for 4 years before achieving my trade cert to be paid $18 (in fairness recession didn't help this change). Yet the union quoted wants a minimum wage of $15! I don't see why the unions are trying to debilitate the work force by keeping them on the minimum wage.
It should be a steeping stone or in between, not a life long career path.
Perhaps the govt should put more effort into up skilling the work force and let the market decide their pay rate, should they need unskilled labor. Supply and demand...
Aye? Without a minimum wage the lowest skilled would be the most vunerable - as they are now. The minimum wage is going UP to $12.75 - its not a requirement to pay that but it is the minimum you can start on. Imagine working in a supermarket and trying to bring up a family on 12.75 an hr. Without a minimum wage low skilled workers would get less than that as they would not have the choice.
ReplyDeleteYou were paid more than the minimum so what the minimum is means it doesn't affect your industry - what affects your industry is what the market thinks your skills are worth (or your boss as you can always negotiate). many people work alot longer than 4 years and never get near $18 an hr.
Re: "working in a supermarket and trying to bring up a family on 12.75 an hr" hence why the Govt should encourage up skilling. Rather than having to stock the same shelf for 40 years.
ReplyDeleteAnd my point in wage is that the gap is closing, if a person has spent money time and effort training, they shouldn't be worth close to an 'unskilled' person. This applies to all fields of employment