Labour MP Trevor Mallard is to put up a member's bill seeking to increase the minimum wage to $15.His announcement comes the same day Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson is expected to announce a small increase from $12.50.Prime Minister John Key has ruled out
Labour MP Trevor Mallard is to put up a member's bill seeking to increase the minimum wage to $15.
His announcement comes the same day Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson is expected to announce a small increase from $12.50.
Prime Minister John Key has ruled out going as high as $15.
Mr Mallard said his bill sought the increase spread over two years, up to $13.75 from March and then $15 next March.
"If the bill is not drawn from the ballot by March 31 this year then I will resubmit it so that it takes effect from March 31, 2011 at the $15 rate."
Last week, the New Zealand Herald surveyed 2300 people on the issue, with the majority supporting an increase to $15 -- 3.5 percent of respondents said the minimum should be lower than the current $12.50 an hour, 30.5 percent thought it should remain unchanged, 61 percent thought it should go up and 5 percent did not have an opinion.
Mr Mallard said there were equity and productivity arguments supporting the increase.
Raising the minimum wage would assist the Government's goal of lifting productivity and closing the wage gap with Australia, he said.
Every year the Minister of Labour reviews the minimum wage, received by about 100,000 workers.
Members' bills are considered fortnightly on a Wednesday.
