Union gives Women's' Affairs Minister 90 days to 'shape up'

The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota is challenging newly appointed Cabinet Minister Hekia Parata to take a lead and advance the cause of Pay Equity or stand down within her first 90 days.

SFWU President Barbara Wyeth says National's record on Pay Equity has been abysmal and with a new woman on the job, Hekia Parata has 90 days to show she's serious about advancing women's economic and working lives.

"Since National scrapped the Pay Equity laws in 1991 women have continued to be undervalued and underpaid.

"The previous Minister Pansy Wong said she would leave 'no stone unturned' to advance the cause of women workers but seems only to have advanced her husbands' business interests.

"The new Minister has a chance to deliver. In fact we want her to have the same chance her government has put on new workers who can be sacked for no reason after 90 days.

"The National-led government has been great at bailing out failed finance companies. Now let's see some of that energy put into closing the 12% pay gap by the end of March next year" says Barbara Wyeth.

The SFWU represents over 16,000 working women.

ENDS

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