Government must reverse disastrous pay equity changes – NZCTU

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is calling on political parties to adopt the recommendations of the People’s Select Committee and ensure that women are valued and paid what their worth.

“The release of this unprecedented report is a historic day in the decades-long fight of women to be paid what their worth,” said Ansell-Bridges.

“Never before has a group of former MPs felt compelled to come together and establish a select committee and do the job that current MPs have refused to do.

“This report is clear – the Government’s changes to the Equal Pay Act must be repealed and the cancelled claims should be reinstated without a requirement to restart a pay equity process.

“Community and iwi organisations should be fully funded implement any pay equity settlement to which they are party, and government agencies should improve funding and contracting processes and procurement rules to support future pay equity settlements.

“The Government’s disgraceful gutting of pay equity is a huge setback but this report gives me hope that we will soon get back on track and continue reversing historical undervaluation of women’s work.

“The CTU is calling on political parties to make the recommendations of this report bottom lines heading into the general election. Women are demanding cast-iron commitments.

“For too long women been disrespect, undervalued and underpaid – we are no longer going to put up with it,” said Ansell-Bridges.