Over the last couple of years I have been receiving information from Wal Mart workers in the USA about their conditions and terms of employment and salary.

They have a very intensive campaign which continues their push for improved wages so they have a fair deal and can afford to pay their bills.

So my ears pricked up here – naturally enough – when the plight of the takeaway workers became apparent with their employers over zero-hour contracts.

At this time, let’s give some credit for the role of the trade unions doing the right thing by the above mentioned workers. Trade unions support workers, they want to see people getting a fair go and being able to feed their children and not left at the bottom of the pecking order.

Trade unions are a compass to show the direction to better things. And even if you are not a member of a union you can still applaud their pro-activity for attempting to make life better for others.

If we measure the take away worker on a low income as against, say, a tradesman the salary is miles apart. The take away worker is still productive, however, and through their efforts allows their employer to add to the nation’s GDP.

Maybe less skilled but still a valued member of society, of a community and contributing in domestic and business environments.

New Zealand is a high tech country. However, not all of our citizens are into hi-tech working at Fisher & Paykel or the Reserve Bank. We are all, though, the sum of parts that make up this country and contribute to our going forward.

All countries are categorised as having blue and white collar workers. The colour of your collar is not what makes you a better person, is it? But having a decent wage in your pocket sure goes a long way to help.