I m thinking finally, you know, it s been a long time coming.
Minimum wage earners aren t the only ones celebrating, the living wage has been increased to a new rate too, going from $22.10 an hour to $22.75. This increase will come into effect in September.
Living Wage Aotearoa expects it will make a difference. It means leaving that night shift job after you ve been doing day shifts and night shifts, it means saving up a little bit of money to spend on a trip away, says Gina Lockyer, Living Wage chairperson.
Unions welcome both increases, and while some are calling for the minimum wage to be raised further, business advocates say Thursday s increase is already too tough.