100 years ago today Orchard workers plead for more pay!

100 years ago on Saturday June 14th 2008, the Hawkes Bay Today tells us that more than 200 workers employed as orchard workers are the lowest paid of any labourers in the Industrial district of Wellington.

It would seem that 100 years of National and Labour policy has done little to improve the lot of the workers in the Bay. Instead of implementing policy to protect workers rights, casual and seasonal workers are sill getting a raw deal.

The Hawkes Bay Today goes on to say that the workers 100 years ago were discontented, as Government grants to fruit growers were not being passed on to the workers.

Government which has a hand in funding services and industry, such as our schools and aged care facilities, or gives hand outs to growers, should ensure that the workers are getting a fair share. Unfortunately this is not the case. I hope we can do better in the next 100 years.