People need more than mere survival

A living wage may be one solution to the problem so people can do more than just survive.

WORKING to support a lifestyle is something many of us don't get the chance to do.

Even though that's why we tell our children that's the reason they need to get a good education; because they need to have a good job.

Chatting to a working man recently at the park he told me how he is selling up and moving to Australia so he can give his three children and wife a lifestyle rather than just get by.

He loves Masterton; has lived and worked here all his life yet he is set to leave.

Questioning him, he soon revealed his family hasn't had a holiday in five years and his wages have never gone up enough to match inflation let alone the rising cost of living and school fees.

Last year, his boss gave him a 1.3 per cent rise, just $20 a week and yet his mortgage went up $29 a week.

Constantly stealing from Peter to pay Paul, he said they just get by and commented "at least I have a job". He's getting out before he "goes under".

With his wife a stay-at-home, they can't afford to pay childcare for her to take up work and he believes she is the best one to raise the children they chose to have.

He brings home enough for them to "survive", earning $19.48 an hour but an Australian firm has offered him a salary of $65,000 with annual increments which he is snapping up and moving to, lock stock and barrel.

He'd rather stay, but doesn't think he'll ever earn enough in New Zealand to offer his children a good lifestyle.

Maybe the Government needs to look at this issue because this family man isn't alone in his struggles to provide for his brood.

Everything seems to go up and, with inflation sitting at 1.05 per cent, wages need to match this or people will just continue to feel overwhelmed and disillusioned about a future here. This is supposed to be the land of milk and honey yet many low and middle-wage earners continue to take one step forward and two steps backwards.

A living wage may be one solution to the problem so people can do more than just survive.

Politicians need to realise people want to do more than just survive; they want to be able to have the odd luxury and maybe the odd holiday to recharge their working batteries with.