29 August 2017

No Surprise That Sexism is Major Factor in Gender Pay Gap

It’s no surprise that the latest research released by Motu Economic & Public Policy Research Foundation clearly shows the main reason for a gender pay imbalance is sexism says the Pay Equity Coalition.

“Even though Motu uses different methodology, today’s report backs up the earlier research carried out by the AUT and what women have known for a long time – sexism in the workplace is major cause of the gender pay imbalance,” says media spokesperson Angela McLeod.

“We have long been saying that women are not valued for their contribution and the research by Motu backs us up – women provide the same value as men in the workplace. We’re just not paid the same for that value.

“Unconscious bias has been touted as a reason for the difference in pay between men and women, which quite frankly is just a nice way of saying sexism.

“We agree with the researcher’s conclusion that stronger enforcement of equal pay regulations could be beneficial to address the sexism which negatively affects women in many sectors of the economy.

“It is disappointing that the Employment Pay Equity and Equal Pay Bill recently introduced to Parliament would make it harder for women to make equal pay claims.”

“The National Government has failed women in this country by not honouring the work of the Joint Working Party on Pay Equity Principles and by not listening to the many organisations who submitted on the draft.”

“This election New Zealanders must vote for equal pay and vote against sexism,” says Mrs McLeod.

ENDS

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