New Zealand has a new appreciation for low income workers.

The best part of this achievement for New Zealand is that all this money will be returned to the economy and growth. The additional income will spur all kinds of growth, including, investments for retirement and savings for homes and children's higher education.

There is nothing wrong with capitalism, but, there never ending problems with greed.

It is the responsibility of the New Zealand government to monitor any movement of inflation and if necessary govern it by law.

April 18, 2017

Rest home caregiver Kristine Bartlett's pay will go from about $16 an hour to about $23.

About 55,000 low-paid workers, (click here) mainly women, are about to get one of the biggest pay rises ever after details of a historic pay equity settlement are revealed today.

The deal will cost the Government over $500 million a year when fully implemented in five years, assuming it is signed off by union members and the Cabinet.

The settlement will mean hefty pay increases from July in three government-funded service sectors that employ mainly women on low rates: aged residential care, home support, and disability services.

The Herald understands that for the primary litigant, rest home caregiver Kristine Bartlett, it will mean an increase from about $16 an hour to about $23 an hour - more than 43 per cent.

The deal allows for annual increases over five years to $27 an hour....