Cleaners, caterers, security guards and other contractors for core public service departments and agencies will be paid at least the living wage of $22.75 an hour, the government says.
Chris Hipkins Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
In a statement this morning, Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins said departments and agencies had been directed to ensure contracts signed or renewed after 1 December for these workers, who are employed through third parties, would pay the current living wage.
He said many departments had already moved to address low wages for these workers, but the government needed to send a clear signal to give greater certainty.
"Cleaners, caterers and security guards on Public Service contracts with third parties do valuable work, but are not always paid at levels that allow them a decent standard of living," he said.
Hipkins, along with Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood, said the agencies affected were those listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020.
The Living Wage is calculated to reflect the hourly wage a worker needs to pay for the necessities of life and participate as an active citizen in the community.
It was not clear whether the direction to departments would mean wages for such workers would rise as inflation and costs pushed the living wage up.