July 18, 2018
Maori lag in workforce equity
Young Māori and Pasifika women and young Pasifika men are some of the most marginalised in the workforce, according to a report from the Human Rights Commission.
The bi-annual Tracking Equality at Work 2018 report found 22.5 percent of Māori and Pacific women under 25 are not in employment, education or training – more than double the rate of all people under 25.
The NEET rate for Māori women between 20 and 24 is 34 percent, and for disabled youth it's 42 percent.
Pacific people have the lowest labour force participation of all ethnic groups at 66 percent compared with 70.6 percent for all people.
The gender pay gap is at an all-time low of 9.4 percent but at the curent rate of progress it could be another 40 years before the pay gap is closed.
However, as women make up 67 percent of minimum wage earners over 25 years, the 2017 pay equity settlement for carers is expected to lift a significant number of women above the minimum wage.
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Jackie Blue recommended the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment increase the number of places available in employment and apprenticeship schemes for young Māori and Pacific peoples and to create similar programmes for young disabled people.
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