Monday 23 March 2009

Event: Show support for a $15 minimum wage and contractors' rights on Wednesday

You may remember I wrote about Darien Fenton's Private Member's Bill on the minimum wage last month, and that Idiot/Savant reported it ha been dischsarged a little while ago I mistakenly thought it had been discharged. Turns out it was another bill (from Labour, about temps and casuals) and Fenton's bill is still live.

At least it is until Wednesday, when it is highly liked to be voted down by National, as Darien's media statement from 4th March explains:
Associate Labour spokesperson Darien Fenton says Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson’s confirmation in the House today that National will not be supporting her member’s bill is a further indication that the Government thinks the law of the jungle is good enough for some low paid workers.

...

“It’s disappointing for these workers that John Key’s government is prepared to continue to ignore the situation for thousands of workers who have to live and work by the law of the jungle, because there are no minimum wage protections for them.“But coming on top of tax increases for the lowest paid and the 90 day Fire at Will Bill, I can’t say I am particularly surprised,” Ms Fenton said.
If you're in Wellington on Wednesday you have an opportunity to show your support for the Bill, for contractors' rights and for a $15 minimum wage. Yes the centre-left lost the election; if we quiet down and let them ignore workers' rights without a fight then we're letting them win much more.

When: Wednesday 25th March, 7.30am - 10am
Where: Parliament House, Wellington
Facebook event listing

Thanks to Darien for emailing me about this.

2 comments:

Idiot/Savant said...

You may remember I wrote about Darien Fenton's Private Member's Bill on the minimum wage last month, and that Idiot/Savant reported it ha been dischsarged a little while ago.

Hmph. I did nothing of the sort. There's no suggestion in my post that it is Fenton's bill, and the description makes it very clear it is not.

Julie said...

Sorry Idiot/Savant, I've changed the post accordingly. My bad!

Thanks for the hat tip :-)