WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Workers from the Rembrandt Suits factory in the Naenae neighborhood here held a picket December 6 outside the Kirkcaldie and Stains store to demand higher wages. The store sells Rembrandt-manufactured men’s suits.

Twenty-five sewers and other members of the National Distribution Union, mostly women, and supporters gathered to draw attention to the company’s miserly offer of an hourly increase of 24 cents. Workers said they are presently paid NZ$12 ($US6.90), the legal minimum wage, regardless of how many years they have worked there.

The picketers handed out leaflets to passersby and held signs stating, “Rembrandt Suits pay sweatshop wages” and “Suits=$995, wages=$12 an hour.” Ese, a worker who has been at the factory for 13 years, told the Militant she is concerned about layoffs. Many workers were laid off in June, she said, and there have been more layoffs in December.

—CHRISTINE BERESFORD