'It's time that women and men who perform work of the same value are paid the same'
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On the 125th anniversary of the day New Zealand made history with women’s suffrage, the Government has introduced new legislation to address historic inequities in pay for women.
The Bill followed all the recommendations of the reconvened and original Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles and aims to make ‘history for women’s pay’, according to the acting minister for Women Eugenie Sage.
“It’s time that women and men who perform work of the same value are paid the same,” said Sage.
“We must continue to close the gender pay gap, and this Bill is one piece of the puzzle to achieve that.
“The Bill establishes a “just and practical framework” to address pay discrimination in female-dominated occupations.”
Sage added that this is an important step in improving fairness in the workplace for women.
“The legislation clarifies what a pay equity claim is and what the process is for addressing it,” said Sage.
“Discrimination has led to lower pay for many female-dominated industries, despite having similar working conditions and skill requirements to comparable male-dominated occupations.”
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Moreover, Dr Jackie Blue, Equal Employment Opportunities and Women’s Rights Commissioner, said it is encouraging that pay equity moved a step forward with the introduction to Parliament of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill on the day the country celebrated 125 years of women’s suffrage.
“Pay equity is a right that the suffragists pressed for in the 1890s and New Zealand women pushed for again with the Equal Pay Act 1972,” said Dr Blue.
“As Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, I welcome the proposed amendment to the Equal Pay Act that will make it easier for women to make claims for fair and equal pay.
“However, fundamental and complementary to an equal pay regime is pay transparency.”
Dr Blue added that in order to raise a claim under the new bill, it is vital that workers have the information to benchmark their individual pay situation.
“The new bill is complaints-based in that women will be required to raise the complaint of unequal pay with their employer.”
She said that it would be good to see the onus on the employer to do regular pay equity audit checks.
“There is also an opportunity to incorporate the gender pay principles that have been adopted by the public service,” said Dr Blue.
“These principles will cover women in ‘mixed occupations’ where they do not necessarily dominate the sector they work in, but none the less may be paid unfairly.
“I look forward to the passage of this bill and the opportunity for the Commission to make a submission.”