Living wage concept attracts Labour's interest

A living wage concept used in London has attracted the interest of the Labour Party.

Leader David Shearer has referred to the concept, the minimum amount a person needs to earn to provide for themselves, in a speech he's given in Nelson today.

He says it was first introduced in London eight years ago when a Council adopted the idea and began applying it to its own staff.

Mr Shearer says the idea caught on and had encouraging results of less absenteeism, and better staff retention.

He says it's an emerging idea that he is interested in and we have to be prepared to look at new ideas.

And the PSA's backing Shearer's call for the minimum wage to be replaced with a "living wage".

PSA secretary, Richard Wagstaff says the Government should lead the way.

He says too often, contractors provide cheaper services than the civil service, simply because those contractors pay their staff poorly.

Mr Wagstaff says introducing a living wage in government would level the playing field, and ensure anyone delivering vital public services was paid enough to live on.

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