We are now ranked 23rd worst out of 30 OECD countries for income inequality. Around 270,000 New Zealand children are living in poverty, creating a permanent future under-class.
Before we start blaming the victims, the Living Wage organisers reveal that four out of 10 poor children are in families where at least one parent is in full-time work or self-employed.
Wages moved a measly 2 per cent in 2010. In the same year, our 150 richest New Zealanders expanded their wealth by a whopping 20 per cent. Our top 1 per cent now have more wealth than the bottom 60 per cent put together.
The Living Wage movement called for employers to pay at least $18.40 an hour as the minimum their workers require for the basic necessities of life. That's $4.90 more than the current minimum wage.
Before we start blaming the victims, the Living Wage organisers reveal that four out of 10 poor children are in families where at least one parent is in full-time work or self-employed.
Wages moved a measly 2 per cent in 2010. In the same year, our 150 richest New Zealanders expanded their wealth by a whopping 20 per cent. Our top 1 per cent now have more wealth than the bottom 60 per cent put together.
The Living Wage movement called for employers to pay at least $18.40 an hour as the minimum their workers require for the basic necessities of life. That's $4.90 more than the current minimum wage.
