1 Apr 2021

Living Wage rate to rise by 3% in September

3:04 pm on 1 April 2021

On the same day an increase in the minimum wage took effect, it has been announced the Living Wage rate will rise to $22.75 per hour from September.

New Zealand currency

Photo: 123rf.com

Living Wage Aotearoa said the three percent increase is based on the average annual earnings movement in the last June quarter.

There are more than 200 accredited Living Wage Employers.

From today, those on the minimum wage get a pay bump to $20 an hour - an increase many employers say is too much and badly timed.

Main benefit and superannuation levels also rise, as well as the amount people can earn before their benefit reduces.

Meanwhile, cleaners contracted to work for the Auckland Council will receive the Living Wage by the end of this year.

The council agreed to pay its contracted cleaners the Living Wage of $22.10 an hour, as part of its emergency budget last year.

The cleaners are not directly employed by the organisation.

An E tū Union spokesperson Fala Haulangi said they will get their pay rise earlier than expected.

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