Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Committee supports starting wage for young

Updated at 6:46 pm on 26 February 2013

A Parliamentary select committee is recommending a starting wage for young people be passed into law.

The Transport and Industrial Relations Committee said the bill's introduction should be delayed by a month so the public can have more time to learn about it.

The legislation had been planned to come into effect in April.

If passed, it will allow some people aged 16 to 19 to be paid 80% of the minimum wage, or $10.80 an hour.

Those eligible will include 16- and 17-year-olds in their first six months of work with a new employer and 18- and 19-year-olds entering the workforce after more than six months on a benefit.

It will also apply to 16- to 19-year-olds in industry training courses.

Labour Party MP Darien Fenton said there is no evidence to suggest the wage would create more jobs.

Ms Fenton said only nine of the 500-plus submissions on the legislation supported a starting wage for young people.

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