Twenty years too long for women and men to be paid equally
“Twenty years is too long for women to wait to be paid at the same rate as men,” said Nanette Cormack, newly appointed
Pay and Employment Equity Co-ordinator at the PSA commenting on figures released today by Statistics New Zealand. The
figures show the gap between men and women would take twenty years to bridge at the current rate.
“While it is good news that the pay gap between men and women full time wage earners has reduced in the last two years
by one percent, more needs to be done to ensure that men and women get paid equitably.”
“There are a number of reasons for the gender pay gap including employers undervaluing the work of women, poor family
friendly provisions and unfair pay systems.”
The PSA is currently involved in several pay and employment equity reviews throughout the public service and health
sector which aim to address the gender pay gap.
“We are hopeful that these reviews will result in increased investment to address the gender pay gap from government and
employers,” said Nanette Cormack.
The PSA is New Zealand’s largest union representing over 55,000 public service workers in local and central government,
health and community services, 68 percent of whom are women.
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