Dozens march for higher minimum wage

A protest march in Invercargill was nearly derailed after MP Eric Roy decided to meet the demonstrators at the start of the protest.

Demonstrators had gathered at Wachner Place in Invercargill at noon yesterday and planned to march to the National MP's office on Dee St about the minimum wage rises.

Mr Roy said he knew the protest was going to happen so decided to meet them at Wachner Place.

He was quickly shooed back to his office so the protest march could take place.

The Government announced late last month it would increase the wage by 25c to $12.75.

After the demonstration, Green Party spokeswoman Rachael Goldsmith said about 25 people from the Greens and Labour with union members objected to the wage rise, saying that it was not enough.

The minimum wage should increase by 20 per cent to $15, in line with inflation and Australia's, she said.

Australia's higher minimum wage strengthened its economy, Ms Goldsmith said.

The government was not looking after the people who needed it most, Ms Goldsmith said.

It was good Mr Roy fronted up to hear their views, Ms Goldsmith said.

Mr Roy said the protest was not entirely focused and had mixed messages.

"They were complaints about everything from foreign ownership to problems with Telecom's XT network."

There were other ways for people struggling to make ends meet outside minimum wage increases, including working for families, he said.

The government was trying the make the pie bigger for the entire country to benefit, Mr Roy said.

Ms Goldsmith said supporters of a higher minimum wage could sign a petition at various points across the city. Nationwide more than 100,000 people had been signed on, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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