The Auckland Council have just increased our rent by $110pw. I am a part-time caregiver and teacher aide. It is a pity our wages don’t keep pace with the cost of living and skyrocketing Auckland property values, if they did maybe we’d be able remain in our home, but we are now forced to compete for what little housing is available for low income families, much of it pretty awful and owned by morally bereft landlords.
With the increasing use of zero hours employment agreements, workers on $14.75 per hour will not be guaranteed any income at all. Of course we should have a minimum wage, which IMO should be the living wage of $19.25, but with the use of zero hours employment agreements we need to question how much meaning that even has. How about a maximum wage too?!
When NZNO agree that union fees for Aged Care workers should reflect our income, then we’ll know you’re taking us seriously.