September 19, 2018
Clearer path for pay equity claims
Clearer path for pay equity claims
The Government has marked the 125th anniversary of the day New Zealand made history with women’s suffrage by introducing legislation that makes it easier for workers to make a pay equity claim.
Acting Minister for Women Eugenie Sage says it offers a more simple and accessible process within New Zealand’s existing bargaining framework.
She says it’s time women and men who perform work of the same value are paid the same.
The Bill establishes a framework to address pay discrimination in female-dominated occupations, clarifying what a pay equity claim is and what the process is for addressing it.
Discrimination has led to lower pay for many female-dominated industries, despite having similar working conditions and skill requirements to comparable male-dominated occupations.
The Bill follows all the recommendations of the reconvened and original Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles, without the hurdles planned by the previous Government that would’ve made it too hard to raise pay equity claims.
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