It seems teenagers have made their voices heard as KFC, one of New Zealand’s largest youth employers moves to abolish youth rates.
Restaurant Brands, which owns the KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks brands in New Zealand, has agreed to phase out the rates, The New Zealand Herald reported today.
However, youth will not be on the same rates as their adult counterparts. Instead they will be paid 90 per cent of the adult minimum wage, up from 80 per cent. Under-18 supervisors will be paid the same as adults.
The new rates, which have yet to be accepted by union members, will see 15- to 17-year-old staff paid at least $9.23 an hour.
From Monday, pay for all 16- and 17-year-olds increases to a minimum of $8.20 an hour, up from $7.60. Adult rates increase to $10.25, up from $9.50.
This week around 1000 young people marched down Queen St in central Auckland, where they staged an impromptu march during a rally against youth rates.
Last month, Green MP Sue Bradford’s Minimum Wage Amendment Bill, which will scrap youth pay rates, passed its first reading in Parliament with Labour’s support. It is being considered by a select committee and submissions close on April 21.
No comments yet.