Greens call for rise in minimum wage

Sue Bradford

The Green Party launched its industrial relations policy today, calling for a minimum wage of $12 an hour and better conditions for workers.

The party's labour and employment spokeswoman Sue Bradford said all workers, including those aged 16 and 17, should be getting $12 an hour as an "absolute minimum".

The minimum wage was increased in March this year to $9.50 an hour.

"It is not good enough to go on having the taxpayers propping up employers to such an extent as currently occurs through Working for Families and the accommodation supplement," Ms Bradford said.

"We believe employers should pay more of their share through a higher minimum wage and better conditions for all workers, not just some."

Key points of the policy are:

* raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour, including 16 and 17-year-olds;

* retain the Employment Relations Act and strengthen the rights of workers to organise, bargain collectively and have access to multi-party bargaining;

* support the right to strike for significant political, economic and environmental reasons -- not just on employment matters;

* bring forward four weeks holiday for all;

* introduce legislation to progress pay and employment equity;

* improve employment rights and increase protection for casual, seasonal, fixed term and temporary workers; and

* support the unions' 5 per cent in 05 campaign.

- NZPA