Minimum wage increase slammed by unions

January 27, 2010 - 6:14pm

The government's announcement this afternoon of a 25c an hour increase in the minimum wage is being slammed by unions.

Spokesman for the Maritime Union of New Zealand, Victor Billot, describes the increase as not even keeping up with the rate of inflation, and unfair given that the National Party's tax cuts benefited upper income earners.

National Distribution Union General Secretary, Robert Reid, says the Government has missed an opportunity by not putting more money in workers pockets, to stimulate the faltering economic recovery.

The Service and Food Worker's Union says the increase is insufficient and demeaning to the 100,000 people in New Zealand who earn on or about the minimum wage.