Low Paid 'Contractors' Need Minimum Protections Too

“People doing contract work for less than the minimum wage deserve the full wage protections afforded to other workers," Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said tonight.

Parliament have tonight supported the second reading of Darien Fenton’s Members Bill amending the Minimum Wage Act to provide that people doing work under a contract for service are paid at a rate at least as favourable to the minimum wage.

“As those who saw the recent Fair Go story on pamphlet deliverers will attest, there are people doing contract work right now who are paid poverty wages, and these people need the full protections of minimum wage laws.”

"Most contractors in New Zealand would be remunerated at well above the minimum wage. For those that aren't, this Bill would provide protection against them being exploited by companies wanting to unreasonably drive down costs."

"Pamphlet delivery is one area of work that is relevant to this Bill, but contracting practices are certainly widespread in other industries such as acting, cleaning and forestry,” Carol Beaumont said.