New Zealand Debates Lower Minimum Wage for Youth

Lefties don't want to make teens attractive to employers

A campaign was launched on the steps of Parliament yesterday to oppose the Government's intention to create a minimum wage for young people.

The Minimum Wage (Starting-Out Wage) Amendment Bill had its first reading in Parliament in October and passed by 61 votes to 59.

Members of the opposing Same Work Same Pay campaign have collected 500 submissions from young workers across New Zealand, to be delivered to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.

Same Work Same Pay campaign spokesman James Sleep, 21, said a youth minimum wage for 16 to 19-year-olds was unfair and wouldn't solve the problem of youth unemployment.