Defence Force employees will receive the living wage of $20.55 per hour by 2019, the Minister For Defence announced today.
Ron Mark said currently eight per cent of civilian Defence Force employees (in non-military roles) are paid below the living wage.
Following the introduction of the living wage package, all civilian employees will be paid $20.55 per hour or over.
However, "recruits under training will remain at a level below the living wage but will continue to receive free accommodation".
He said all regular Defence Force members who have completed basic training are already on the living wage, and added that the Government would also bring reservist members of the Defence Force up to “at least” the living wage.
The living wage in New Zealand is the amount a worker needs per hour to pay for necessities and participate in the community, calculated by the New Zealand Family Centre Social Policy Unit.
The minimum wage is currently $16.50 an hour.
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