Anger over moves to extend youth training wages

Opposition parties are voicing their anger over moves to extend youth training wages.

The Government's had the numbers to pass the first reading of a bill that allows 80 percent of the minimum wage to be paid to 16 to 19 year olds for a six month period when they enter the workforce.

Labour MP Darien Fenton believes it'll lead to older workers losing out as they're undercut by younger cheaper labour.

"Older workers have been told 'no we don't need you, because we can get younger workers on cheaper wages'."

Green MP Holly Walker says it's discriminatory.

"I would imagine that there is not one member of this house who would today stand up and say we should have a lower minimum wage for women, than we do for men."

The Greens have lodged a complaint with the Human Rights commission over the legislation.

And the Government's rebutting Labour criticism of its youth training wage legislation.

Cabinet Minister Tony Ryall says it's just an extension of what the previous Labour Government did with its own training wage policy.

He says when Labour introduced the idea in 2007-08, it said there was a good argument to recognise for many young people the first few months in a job involved training and it was good they be given the opportunity.

Mr Ryall says that's what this legislation proposes.

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