Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand – A Life Lived with Dignity
In general, transformational change requires long-term commitment and support if it’s to be realised. One of the organisations that the J R McKenzie Trust has been supporting for many years is Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand, which brings together secular community organisations, unions, and faith-based groups to campaign for a Living Wage. As a concept, it is simple but powerful – pay workers the hourly wage they need to afford necessities such as food, transportation, housing and childcare, and to participate as an active citizen in the community.
The Living Wage emerged as a response to growing poverty and inequality that continues to hold back so many Kiwi workers, their families, and the economy. Currently sitting at $22.75 per hour, it will rise to $23.65 on 01 September 2022 for all accredited Living Wage employers.
“The wins came slowly for the Living Wage Movement, as ten small kiwi businesses and committed NGOs first embraced the independently determined Living Wage rate in 2014 to become licensed Living Wage Employers. Now, in 2022, five councils are accredited, and central government has guaranteed all contracted workers in the core public service will receive no less than the Living Wage as they renew the tenders for services. With 260 accredited employers and growing, corporates and SMEs from all across Aotearoa and in all sectors of the economy are embracing these minimum standards,” says Annie Newman, Founder - Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand.
We need look no further than the workers themselves for evidence of the positive effect it has had on the lives of those now earning the Living Wage.
“Being a cleaner for three years, my family and I were really struggling in paying our bills on time. But ever since I got paid the Living wage, my kids are eating healthy now, bills getting paid on time, and we moved into a four-bedroom apartment now that my girls really loved. Now we are starting to save some money so we could go for a holiday as we couldn’t before to visit our family back home in Ghana,” says Josephine Wiredu.
Josephine Wiredu celebrates Auckland Council cleaners receiving the Living Wage with Mayor Phil Goff
Besides ensuring families can live with dignity, The Living Wage can also allow them to make positive memories.
Valea’i
“Receiving the Living Wage makes a big difference for my family. I can save some money to take my family for a holiday. We never had one before! I can also take my children out for dinner as a treat occasionally and pay for their school fees without much stress!” says Valea’i.
Living Wage accredited employers understand that the benefits stretch further than simply enabling employees to afford a basic yet decent life. Rather, it’s about supporting generational health and wellbeing.
“According to the World Health Organisation, income is one of the key social determinants of health. Simply put, people in poverty have poorer health outcomes. We believe as one of New Zealand’s leading private hospitals, that it’s important to put our money where our mouth is and show our people through the process of Living Wage accreditation, that we have an ongoing commitment to their health and welfare – not just when times are good, but always,” says Fiona Michel, Chief Executive, Braemar Hospital – first hospital in New Zealand to become a Living Wage accredited employer.
Fiona Michel, Chief Executive, Braemar Hospital
“One of the greatest challenges was funding growth so we could embed the concept of the Living Wage. The Movement is built on organising the voice of community to change systems and ideas, but alliance building is a long game and patience capital is required. All the evidence shows that the employment of organisers is fundamental to the success of coalition building. Right at the beginning, the J R McKenzie Trust stepped up where no one else would, funding community organiser training in 2013 and then organiser resource in two centres for subsequent years. Gradually, we have been building our capability and capacity to be sustained over time - a success story underwritten by the Trust and its belief in our kaupapa,” says Annie.
Now part of a world-wide network of living wage campaigns and living wage accreditation systems, Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand is excited about efforts to ensure that no matter where global businesses operate, they will respect the local standards set for decent lives.