HealthCarePlus, a not-for-profit incorporated society that provides health and insurance services to staff of educational institutions, has become the first accredited Living Wage Employer in the insurance sector.
John Seed, chief executive of HealthCarePlus, said: “HealthCarePlus is a worker-owned insurance cooperative and this important step reflects both our own values and solidarity with the values of our 25,000 members, primarily from the education sector.”
HealthCarePlus staff and their union initiated the application for the Living Wage Employer Accreditation in support of the Living Wage Movement in New Zealand. This movement aims to address the growing poverty and inequality that continues to hold back many Kiwi workers, their family, and the economy. It defines Living Wage “as the hourly wage a worker needs to pay for the necessities of life and participate as an active citizen in the community.”
Seed said: “We are a union-based organisation and very proud of it. We are also very proud to mark Labour Day 2016 with our new status as a Living Wage Accredited employer.”
He added: “HealthCarePlus would like to encourage others in the financial services sector to obtain Living Wage Accreditation to support the move to improve the conditions of New Zealand’s lowest paid workers.”
Related stories:
Life insurer beats F&G sector to score coveted award
How to hold onto good brokers
