Young workers closer to adult pay

Young workers are one step closer to getting the same minimum wage as adults after legislation aiming to scrap youth rates passed its first hurdle in Parliament last night.

The member's bill, drafted by Green Party MP Sue Bradford, proposes to end youth rates for 16 and 17-year-olds which are set at $7.60 - 80 per cent of the $9.50 adult minimum wage. Instead, the adult minimum wage would apply to all workers.

Ms Bradford told Parliament that the jobs done predominantly by youth workers - at service stations, supermarkets, movie theatres and fast food outlets - were not merely training as some business lobbyists claimed.

Most of those jobs were "entry level" and young people could do them just as competently as their older peers.

"Employers aren't hiring young workers out of the kindness of their heart, they are taking them on because they are as valuable to them as any other employee."

Employers paid young workers lower rates simply because they could, she said.

Ms Bradford said there was little evidence that her Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Amendment Bill would mean fewer jobs because of the additional expense to employers.

National Party industrial relations spokesman Wayne Mapp said Ms Bradford's arguments were "emotional", but without rigour.

Additional training was needed for young workers because of their lesser life experience.

Labour Minister Ruth Dyson said Labour supported the bill being sent to a select committee for discussion, but would reconsider its support after that. New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown said NZ First was happy supporting the bill to the select committee, but would reconsider its support after that.

The bill passed its first reading by 71 votes to 50 with the Greens, Labour, NZ First, the Maori Party, United Future and the Progressive Party supporting the bill. National and ACT opposed it.

* Youth workers at KFC outlets in Henderson and in Manukau City went on strike yesterday to support the bill.

- NZPA