Originally Posted by
justakiwi
I do realise that a “a living wage” figure would need to be relative to location, but that is no different to how the accommodation supplement currently works. I disagree however that $15/hr is even remotely appropriate for any location. Nobody in this country can live in that. I couldn’t live on that even with my minimalist lifestyle. People deserve to be paid enough, for the work they do, to do more than just survive. Low income workers are doing jobs that you and I need someone to do - someone has to do them. We can’t all be lawyers and doctors or accountants or contractors. It is time that society recognised this and stopped judging these people and having the attitude that are are doing menial, unimportant jobs because they are uneducated or unskilled. I know someone who worked for NIWA with a double degree in whatever, who is now driving buses in Auckland. I have the brains and ability to be a lawyer, a teacher, a social worker or whatever else, but here I am working as a caregiver. Somebody has to do it, and I’m good at it, so it might as well be me. But I’m worth more than what I am currently paid, regardless of what you believe. Why is it acceptable for an accountant to be paid significantly more than I am? We both provide essential and valuable services. Who gets to dictate that I am worth less than you (whatever you do for a living?)
Some sort of living wage is necessary because without it, we will never pull Kiwis in poverty out of that situation.
PS. just read your latest post - I am talking about a sensible living wage, based on normal, every day costs. Nobody needs SKY TV, or an overseas trip every year. Those are luxuries, not basic necessities. I am talking about paying people enough to pay their mortgage or rent, feed their family healthy, nutritious food, clothe them, be able to pay for school activities and camps etc, meet household expenses, and have a little left over to save for emergencies. I am not proposing that this should cover luxury expenses.
It bothers me greatly that people no longer seem to have any compassion for their fellow Kiwis. There but for the grace of God go I.