14 June 2004
Employers Challenged to End Discrimination at Work
Unions back the Human Rights Commission’s call for law that would require employers to end workplace discrimination on
the basis of gender, race and disability, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
The HRC report into equal employment opportunities in New Zealand, released today, found that women, disabled people,
Maori and Pacific Islanders were still being discriminated against in the workplace.
“It’s disgraceful to read in the report that these groups have gone backwards during the past decade, and New Zealand is
not keeping pace with EEO initiatives in countries like Britain, US, Canada and Australia,” Ross Wilson said.
Unions, through collective employment agreements, worked hard for equality across workplaces and were partners in the
Government’s pay equity plan.
“The CTU strongly supports the EEO Commissioner’s recommendations for action,” Ross Wilson said. “And employers in the
private sector must step up to the challenge to ensure everyone gets a fair go at work.”
ENDS