“A Living Wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life. The Living Wage enables workers to live with dignity and to participate as active citizens in society”.   

Please take a minute to sign this Open letter to the Waikato Regional Council to pay contractors a Living Wage.  

Why does this matter to me and you?  I personally don’t understand how employers can justify not paying employees what it costs to live.  Unfortunately our government allows this to happen by legislating a minimum wage – which is far lower than what people need to pay their bills.  It will take leadership and political will to address this, and we’re starting with local councils.  If you’re already on a Living Wage that’s great – please help support this for your friends and whanau.  If you aren’t on a Living Wage yet, signing will start a flow on effect.  You can find out more about bringing this movement to your workplace on Living Wage Aotearoa’s website.

We have to acknowledge the Waikato Regional Council already pay directly employed staff a Living Wage – so this open letter is to ask them to extend to contractors, like bus drivers and cleaners.  Rumour has it the Waikato District Health Board is about to pilot a Living Wage, which is fantastic.  Unfortunately Hamilton City Council is lagging a little behind – but let’s hope they are watching Wellington City Council who became accredited this year.   Tautoko this movement.