When working a 68-hour week still doesn't cut it

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#901981 24-Sep-2013 16:05

sleemanj:

If nobody chooses to be an "unskilled worker" (because they are paid poorly), then who shall do the jobs.

Also, perhaps you think that you need absolutely no skills, you think you could do his job tomorrow as well as he does today?

When a country has a high level of skilled workers you tend to find they rely on immigrants to do the tedious or unskilled work.

And, yes, I believe I could do his job almost as well or better than him after a short period of time. It is called unskilled for a reason.

But, it is uncertain whether he could ever do my job -- at the very minimum he would need to spend years learning the theory and then more years learning the practical application of the theory.

I'm sorry, but, some people are worth paying more than others . Not everyone is created equal no matter how much you wish.

Inphinity

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#901984 24-Sep-2013 16:15

Hrmm, see, good on them for working. But between 4 jobs, especially with those sort of hours, even at minimum wage, they must be between them earning at least $60k or so gross - that's assuming the partners 3 jobs are very part time, and equal 1 average part-time job. Sure, it's not a lavish lifestyle, but is $60k really not enough to get by on now?

sleemanj:
Also, perhaps you think that you need absolutely no skills, you think you could do his job tomorrow as well as he does today?

Yes.

sleemanj

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#901991 24-Sep-2013 16:41

Inphinity:Sure, it's not a lavish lifestyle, but is $60k really not enough to get by on now?

Depends where you live. Depends who you are supporting.

1 Person living in Waimate, you could live an almost luxurious life.

2 Adults and a kid in Wellington, that'd be a struggle I think.

surfisup1000: Not everyone is created equal no matter how much you wish.

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPZR1lUMS47BA-N2Ihrtlg

---
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I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

minimoke

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#901996 24-Sep-2013 17:04

OK, say this guy did a 40 hour week on $14.40. That’s $30,000 a year.

Thanks to the largesse of the taxpayer he’ll get around $6,000 off his tax bill once his missus drops the kid and he’s eligible for WWF.

Say his pay went from $14.40 - $18.40 for a 40 hour week. That’s around $8,000 gross or around $6,000 net.

So at this point he can either bludge off the Wellington Ratepayer or the NZ Tax Payer for roughly the same net gain. Obviously the more he earns the less the ratepayer has to subsidize him and the less WWF would be available.

However where the Living Wage falls down is that he can get around $100 a week Accommodation Supplement through WWF.

So I can only conclude that the Wellington Councilors are twits, and so are the ratepayers who vote for them. It seems the Council is simply shifting the burden of supplementary wage / accommodation benefits off the NZ taxpayer onto the Wellington ratepayer. Since I’m not in Wellington – well done Wellington!

driller2000

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#902094 24-Sep-2013 21:52

Klipspringer:
With bills to pay and a baby on the way, Wellington parking warden Esau Taniela tackles a 68-hour working week to bring home $719, while his pregnant partner works three jobs.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9200190/When-working-a-68-hour-week-still-doesn-t-cut-it

And a simple google search brings up his facebook profile displaying plenty of photos which contradict the whole story.

like several have posted - you are coming off as bit of a one trick pony with a touch of nastiness thrown in for good measure

can i please ask you to tone it down a bit mate?

Johnk

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#902096 24-Sep-2013 21:57

sleemanj:
Inphinity:Sure, it's not a lavish lifestyle, but is $60k really not enough to get by on now?

Depends where you live. Depends who you are supporting.

1 Person living in Waimate, you could live an almost luxurious life.

2 Adults and a kid in Wellington, that'd be a struggle I think.

surfisup1000: Not everyone is created equal no matter how much you wish.

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPZR1lUMS47BA-N2Ihrtlg

To add to the above, I started bringing up a family of four in Auckland on 55k closer to 65k now, sure that's a struggle, but we make do.
But I'm thankful for the small bit the govt does with WFF to help ends meet.

If I want to earn more money I know that I need to either retrain, up skill, or start my own business up ( I work in the construction industry)

Geektastic

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#902117 24-Sep-2013 22:30

surfisup1000:
sleemanj:

If nobody chooses to be an "unskilled worker" (because they are paid poorly), then who shall do the jobs.

Also, perhaps you think that you need absolutely no skills, you think you could do his job tomorrow as well as he does today?

When a country has a high level of skilled workers you tend to find they rely on immigrants to do the tedious or unskilled work.

And, yes, I believe I could do his job almost as well or better than him after a short period of time. It is called unskilled for a reason.

But, it is uncertain whether he could ever do my job -- at the very minimum he would need to spend years learning the theory and then more years learning the practical application of the theory.

I'm sorry, but, some people are worth paying more than others . Not everyone is created equal no matter how much you wish.

As my brother (who lives in California) said to me when I complained about the amount of work 20 acres takes, "Can't you just get a Mexican in?"

I snorted and told him Mexicans never swim this far or I would.

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Geektastic

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#902121 24-Sep-2013 22:35

minimoke: OK, say this guy did a 40 hour week on $14.40. That’s $30,000 a year. Thanks to the largesse of the taxpayer he’ll get around $6,000 off his tax bill once his missus drops the kid and he’s eligible for WWF. Say his pay went from $14.40 - $18.40 for a 40 hour week. That’s around $8,000 gross or around $6,000 net. So at this point he can either bludge off the Wellington Ratepayer or the NZ Tax Payer for roughly the same net gain. Obviously the more he earns the less the ratepayer has to subsidize him and the less WWF would be available. However where the Living Wage falls down is that he can get around $100 a week Accommodation Supplement through WWF. So I can only conclude that the Wellington Councilors are twits, and so are the ratepayers who vote for them. It seems the Council is simply shifting the burden of supplementary wage / accommodation benefits off the NZ taxpayer onto the Wellington ratepayer. Since I’m not in Wellington – well done Wellington!

I still remain entirely unsure why my taxes are used to subsidise him at all. I don't work for that purpose.

MaxLV

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#902146 24-Sep-2013 23:51

Klipspringer:
macuser: What are you all on about, on his Facebook he just looks like a normal happy young engaged guy, I don't see new cars or flat screen TVs...I'm getting pretty sick of all these BS posts by you Klipspringer, this is a forum about technology and the industry surrounding it, not these bigoted opinions about the lazy blacks and socialists which you are pretty consistent in bringing our attention to. There is always room on this forum to discus issues in our community but the relentlessness you express your non constructive opinions is pretty ridiculous. I think your constant posts are negatively effecting the tone of this website, which is one of the best online communities I participate in.

Sorry you feel that way. Surely the "off topic" forum is a place to discuss everything but technology.

Not your negative selfish, greedy I'm alright jack attitude it isn't.

MaxLV

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#902148 24-Sep-2013 23:54

johnr: Would be interested to know how many HPs the person has and what they are for

We live in a capitalist society. Debt is the cornerstone of capitalism. It's how the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer...

MaxLV

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#902150 24-Sep-2013 23:58

Klipspringer:
Kingy:

I actually have to agree with macuser here. Aside from maybe buying a ring and a smoking habit there doesn't seem to be anything 'contradicting the whole story'. I guess having fun with friends and family automatically means you're well off and live a perfect life. Good work Klipspringer.

I disagree. Smoking is an expensive habit and it can cost an average smoker about $17 per day. Ask me, I'm an ex smoker.

One of the reasons as to why I stopped smoking was because it was simply unaffordable, and in this guys case, probably the difference between living on the "poverty" line or not (yes an assumption)

Going back to the story. What does it come down to? It comes down to the minimum wage, the story is being used as an example as to why its not currently enough.

What happens if we increase the minimum wage for council workers? Who pays the gaps? People like us. Ratepayers and Taxpayers.

Is that fare? So yes of course it upsets me when I see that the guy can afford to smoke.

You sure as hell want your share of the benefits rates and taxes pay for though dont you. That sums up your posts and attitudes perfectly.

I'd like to see you try living on the minimum wage, and being happy with it.

MaxLV

656 posts

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#902153 25-Sep-2013 00:07

minimoke: OK, say this guy did a 40 hour week on $14.40. That’s $30,000 a year. Thanks to the largesse of the taxpayer he’ll get around $6,000 off his tax bill once his missus drops the kid and he’s eligible for WWF. Say his pay went from $14.40 - $18.40 for a 40 hour week. That’s around $8,000 gross or around $6,000 net. So at this point he can either bludge off the Wellington Ratepayer or the NZ Tax Payer for roughly the same net gain. Obviously the more he earns the less the ratepayer has to subsidize him and the less WWF would be available. However where the Living Wage falls down is that he can get around $100 a week Accommodation Supplement through WWF. So I can only conclude that the Wellington Councilors are twits, and so are the ratepayers who vote for them. It seems the Council is simply shifting the burden of supplementary wage / accommodation benefits off the NZ taxpayer onto the Wellington ratepayer. Since I’m not in Wellington – well done Wellington!

Yeah we get it/you. You dont believe those worse off than yourself have any right to live like you do....

MaxLV

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#902154 25-Sep-2013 00:10

Johnk:
sleemanj:
Inphinity:Sure, it's not a lavish lifestyle, but is $60k really not enough to get by on now?

Depends where you live. Depends who you are supporting.

1 Person living in Waimate, you could live an almost luxurious life.

2 Adults and a kid in Wellington, that'd be a struggle I think.

surfisup1000: Not everyone is created equal no matter how much you wish.

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPZR1lUMS47BA-N2Ihrtlg

To add to the above, I started bringing up a family of four in Auckland on 55k closer to 65k now, sure that's a struggle, but we make do.
But I'm thankful for the small bit the govt does with WFF to help ends meet.

If I want to earn more money I know that I need to either retrain, up skill, or start my own business up ( I work in the construction industry)

WFF is government/tax payer wages bill subsidy to employers, nothing more, and nothing less.

jtbthatsme

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#902161 25-Sep-2013 01:10

So after reading all your comments I decided to actually read this story...He's making $720 -$1000pw plus his partners wage. No kids at the moment, no mention of his actual rent or where in Wellington he actualy lives.

Can't afford a nice lifestyle so what I say. I was raising my family of 5 on $45k-$50K per year living in Wellington paying $425 in rent don't smoke or drink, travelled to the Hutt for work at about $100pw in travel costs I'd love to know where he's spending all his money.

This guy and his story is a joke. By the way before you all get on your high horses and slam me like Klipspringer....worked for the Govt and my quoted income was inclusive of what we received in Working for families / family support.

This guy needs to think more about some of his lifestyle choices if he's worried about how he's going to support his upcoming child then I'd suggest he try's to make some positive changes for his family, if he smokes like implied quit that's $1500 - $5000 per year saved ($30 - $100 pw) look for better employment. He's showing he has a work ethic with working 50 - 70 hrs at a job with no overtime rates there's definitely room for improvement there. 40hrs @$20ph will see him 10 - 30 hours more time with his new family (hours not wanted to be missed I might add) and still making the same money with WFF tax credit and Accom Supplement as well.

dickytim

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#902174 25-Sep-2013 07:15

MaxLV:
minimoke: OK, say this guy did a 40 hour week on $14.40. That’s $30,000 a year. Thanks to the largesse of the taxpayer he’ll get around $6,000 off his tax bill once his missus drops the kid and he’s eligible for WWF. Say his pay went from $14.40 - $18.40 for a 40 hour week. That’s around $8,000 gross or around $6,000 net. So at this point he can either bludge off the Wellington Ratepayer or the NZ Tax Payer for roughly the same net gain. Obviously the more he earns the less the ratepayer has to subsidize him and the less WWF would be available. However where the Living Wage falls down is that he can get around $100 a week Accommodation Supplement through WWF. So I can only conclude that the Wellington Councilors are twits, and so are the ratepayers who vote for them. It seems the Council is simply shifting the burden of supplementary wage / accommodation benefits off the NZ taxpayer onto the Wellington ratepayer. Since I’m not in Wellington – well done Wellington!

Yeah we get it/you. You dont believe those worse off than yourself have any right to live like you do....

Geez you're really hating aren't you.

I think you nailed the point, no they do NOT deserve to live like someone who is better off thru education and life choices and doing the hard yards earlier in life does.

This thread is going nowhere now due to your posts and will devolve even further very shortly.

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