6 Nov  -  Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes the first ever corporate business as an accredited Living Wage Employer.  New Zealand's largest distributor of electricity and gas across the Auckland region, Vector Limited, joins nearly 90 other accredited businesses committed to paying no less than $20.20 to all workers, including contracted cleaners.

The announcement was made at Auckland’s Kai Pasifika restaurant, another Living Wage Employer at midday.

“This is momentous for the Movement and for all New Zealand workers,” says Living Wage Convenor Annie Newman.

“We congratulate Vector for its courage and commitment to a new standard for fair wages, where workers earn enough to live a decent life in NZ,” Annie says.

“The Movement has contacted many of the top NZ firms to invite them to be Living Wage and Vector is the first to embrace the concept. We hope it is just the beginning.”

Vector’s Group Chief Executive Simon Mackenzie says that the business supports a Living Wage because it is the right thing to do.

“Fairness and equity has been a big part of our approach to remuneration for a number of years, and we’re pleased to have this formally recognised through the Living Wage accreditation.

“Vector’s support of a Living Wage is also consistent with our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and in particular the goal to reduce inequalities.

“As a large Kiwi employer with staff up and down the country, paying a Living Wage is one way we can help address inequality of living standards.

“In addition to our own people, we’re now working with our partners and suppliers to try and ensure support for a living wage across our supply chain.”

The inaugural Living Wage Week begins today (Monday) with events around the country bringing communities together to grow the movement for decent wages and celebrate businesses that are taking this fair wage standard seriously.

| A Living Wage Aotearoa release  ||  November 6,  2017   |||