The national body representing the country's Community Law Centres has added its voice to criticism of the big salary increases awarded to state sector chief executives, saying the increases foster inequality and the growing gap between rich and poor in New Zealand.
Community Law Centres o Aotearoa chief executive ElizabethTennet, of Wanganui, said that $40,000 would make little difference to a chief executive earning over $600,000 but it would make an enormous difference to those at the bottom - "the clients whom Community Law helps".
"At a time when state-funded organisations such as Community Law are being asked for increased efficiencies and do more with less the funds being spent on salary increases for individuals would be much more effectively directed towards the organisations delivering important social and community services," Ms Tennet said.
"The increases show a lack of appreciation of the inequalities that exist in our society. It is also ironical that they come at much the same time as a report from the Ministry of Social Development shows that the gap between rich and poor in New Zealand is at its highest level ever," she said.
She said that inequality is the biggest global challenge."Curtailing big salary increases would be one such policy. Many of these state sector bosses are more motivated by a sense of wanting to make a difference and it is simply not believable that constant financial top-ups are necessary to retain them."
