Labour backs Kiwi women in new policy for equality

Labour will take steps to close the pay gap between female workers and their male colleagues as part of a new policy to create real equality, opportunity and choice for all women in New Zealand, says Labour's Women's Affairs Spokesperson Carol Beaumont.

"Labour is releasing its Women's Policy on Suffrage Day to recognise the fact that while we celebrate the achievements of Kiwi women, there is still much that needs to be done to ensure all women have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

"New Zealand women still, on average, earn less than men and are often less likely to hold leadership roles. Labour will address that by ensuring information about pay rates are made available so that inequalities between male and female workers are exposed.

"Labour will also work to have the right to equal pay better recognised in law. We will reinstate the goal of having 50% of the positions on state sector boards taken up by women and reverse National's cuts to the Training Incentive Allowance which make it harder for women to access education.

"Under National, New Zealand women are worse off. National scrapped the Pay and Equity Unit, passed the "fire-at-will" legislation and cut successful family violence programmes.

"Those changes have had a detrimental effect on the lives of Kiwi women. Violence and sexual abuse rates against women are among the highest in the OECD--- that's a national disgrace for a Government who prides itself on combatting violence in our communities.

"Labour is committed to developing a long-term solution to eliminating violence against women.

"We will also take a comprehensive approach to maternal health, which recognises the importance of the health of mothers as well as supporting our plan to give kids the best possible start in life.

"Labour will strengthen the economy as a whole by creating more jobs that pay well, implementing a fairer tax system and putting our children first. These changes will have major benefits for all New Zealanders.

"Kiwi women deserve better and Labour will deliver on the promise it is making to improve the lives of all our women," Carol Beaumont said.

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