Govt finally admits 180,000 in line for a pay cut – Labour

“Last week the Government killed 33 pay equity claims, pushing the law change through under urgency, with the clear intention of paying for their budget off the backs of hardworking women,” Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

“Now the Minister has finally admitted just how many people they’ve screwed over: roughly 180,000 people, mostly women, had their claims tossed out, just in time for Mother’s Day.

“This is money that was set aside to lift women’s pay, but this Government has chosen to take this money because their Budget didn’t add up. That is a pay cut, plain and simple.

“These are nurses, teachers, care and support workers who have been fighting for years for pay equity. These are the workforces made up of mostly women, who hold this country together. This is National telling them they are not valued.

“Across the country thousands of women are making their voices heard and Labour proudly stands with them. We will restore women’s fundamental rights to equal pay for equal work,” Jan Tinetti said.