Press Release – Pay Equity Coalition

NZ could lead the world in fixing gender pay imbalance

Wages and salaries data released today by Statistics NZ demonstrate why action is needed to change the pay imbalance between men and women.

“The 2016 Household Labour Force Survey shows that average hourly earnings for women are now $4.09 less than men – that is a difference of 13.6%. The gender pay imbalance is even worse for Māori and Pacific women,” says Pay Equity Coalition spokesperson Angela McLeod.

“Any pay difference because of gender or ethnicity is unacceptable to everybody in this day and age. Measures by the Government that will make a difference and pay women fairly are overdue and urgent."

“One step to reducing the gender pay gap is paying low-paid undervalued care workers, who are predominately women, what they are worth."

“Increasing the pay of care and support workers –as a result of the Kristine Bartlett case –will make a substantial difference to the pay that women take home each week."

“We are still waiting on the Government to endorse the principles established by the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Pay Equity."

“Endorsing the JWG principles is a critical step the Government must take in realising equal pay for women."

“It’s time for New Zealand to lead the world again on equal rights for women. It can be done, it just takes political will,” says McLeod.

Ends.

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