What do you think about the introduction of Youth Rates? In New Zealand they are trying to apply this bill for 15-24 year-old's to receive lower pay for doing the same job as someone older. It is age discrimination IMO, this would not be accepted by society if pay was determined by sex, race or disability. I've posted some details in case you've not heard of this type of thing.
Article:
The Government is not ruling out a return to lower rates for young workers.
Prime Minister John Key this month indicated National would campaign on further changes to labour laws - and did not rule out reinstating a youth minimum wage.
Now Employment Minister Kate Wilkinson, asked about the issue, said the Government would look at options to help younger people into work.
"We're particularly concerned about the number of youth who simply aren't able to find jobs, especially first jobs," she said.
"While the employment rate for those 20 and over is improving, this isn't happening for teenagers and we're taking a close look at what sort of policies will help them get the work experience they need.
Labour youth affairs spokeswoman Jacinda Ardern today said it made no sense to pay younger workers less than others for doing the same job.
"There's no value or justification at all in simply getting rid of older workers and replacing them with cheaper young workers. That's just transferring the unemployment problem."
Youth unemployment was a problem - 27 per cent of those aged 15-19 were not in training or jobs, she said. But back in the 1990s youth rates had no impact on unemployment.
"And they won't bring levels down now. The lowest levels in recent times were under Labour when youth wages were abolished."
Green Party MP Gareth Hughes said youth rates would mean a pay cut for those already employed.
"A move to bring back discriminatory rates of pay will see young New Zealanders flocking across the Tasman," he said.
He said the Government had failed to address unemployment and more needed to be done to improve training and opportunities.