Labour Party promises to double sick leave and raise minimum wage

The Labour Party is promising to double minimum sick leave entitlements for workers to 10 days a year and raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour.

The party's Workplace Relations and Safety spokesperson Andrew Little announced the policy in Wellington this morning.

The current minimum wage is $18.90 an hour.

Little says it's time to leave behind New Zealand's low wage culture.

"Workers play a key role in getting our economy moving," he said.

"We cannot grow successful businesses without a strong and thriving workforce."

Little said Managing Covid-19 had shown how important it was for workers to stay home, even if they are sick.

Labour is also promising to increase wages and legislate for fair pay agreements.

Labour's economic plan is built around five key principles: investing in people, growing jobs, preparing for the future, supporting small businesses, and positioning New Zealand globally.

"By investing in our workers, we are supporting New Zealand families while continuing to boost businesses and our economy," Little said.

"A race to the bottom on wages comes at the cost of our most vulnerable workers and undermines our productivity. Investing in our people needs to be a key part of our economic recovery from Covid-19. We want a productive and highly-skilled workforce where everyone shares in the benefits of economic growth."

Also included in the policy are:

• Recognising security guards as vulnerable workers to ensure their terms and conditions are protected
• Ensuring that Seafarer Welfare Centres provide better services
• Raising the age for workers to be allowed to perform hazardous work, and ensure all workers have the right to elect health and safety representatives
• Strengthening the Employment Relations Act to make it harder for collective agreements to be undermined.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/426454/labour-party-promises-to-double-sick-leave-and-raise-minimum-wage