New Zealand raises minimum wage, affecting about 250,000 workers

About 250,000 workers in New Zealand will soon see a pay increase, as the country’s government on Wednesday announced a minimum wage increase. 

The country’s minimum wage will rise to 18.90 NZ (or $12.40 in U.S. dollars) from 17.70 NZ ($11.62) in April, according to The New Zealand Herald. 

The newspaper reported that Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway announced the increase, which is a step toward the target of a 20 NZ (13.13 USD) minimum wage by 2021.

“Around a quarter of million workers will be better off next year, thanks to another $1.20 an hour increase to the minimum wage, the biggest equal lift ever,” Lees-Galloway said. 

The paper reported that training wages will also increase to 15.12 NZ (9.98 USD), which is less than the adult minimum wage. 

“With our economy doing well, we want to make sure that our lowest-paid workers also benefit,” Lees-Galloway said.

In the U.S., many on the left have pushed for a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour. The Democratic-led House this summer passed a bill that would do this.