YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand says Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty’s Bill to amend the Equal Pay Act is a positive step forward in ensuring economic security for women in New Zealand.

The Member’s Bill to amend the Equal Pay Act will ensure women have access to information about pay rates in their workplace to test if there is gender-based discrimination.

The proposed changes would require employers to record the gender of their employees along with current reporting requirements. Workers and unions would then be able to request information on pay levels by gender in their workplaces to assess whether the Equal Pay Act is being applied. Aggregate data on gender pay around the country would also be made available. This information would make it easier for women to find out if there is gender pay discrimination, something difficult to do under the law as it stands.

The issue of pay equity has always concerned the YWCA and they believe part of the struggle is that women’s participation in the labour force is not fairly recognised and valued. “In the current policy environment of welfare reform, the low-wage labour market has taken on even greater significance. Because of their disproportionate representation in low wage jobs, women are often denied opportunities for economic well-being and community participation,” says Sarah Davies of the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The YWCA is urging the Government and other parties to support the Bill. “It’s a step forward in closing the gender pay gap. We must advocate for measures designed to create equitable economic opportunities for women and while we have made great strides in empowering women in their personal and professional lives, there is still work to be done to ensure women are compensated fairly in the workplace. Equal pay for women is a human right.”

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