Pay equity principles are reaffirmed - now let's get the job finished

The PSA welcomes the government’s announcement that new pay equity legislation will be introduced by mid-year.

The Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles was reconvened by the Labour-led Government after it ditched the deeply flawed bill proposed by National.

Workplace Relations minister Iain Lees-Galloway and Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter say Cabinet will consider the Joint Working Group’s recommendations shortly.

"The Group quickly reached agreement on three outstanding issues which will smooth the way for working women to bring claims," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"We reconfirmed our position that there should be no barriers to launching an equal pay claim, and no limits on where comparators can be found.

"We also agreed the best way to progress is by amending the Equal Pay Act 1972 - rather than introduce new legislation."

Ms Polaczuk was a member of the Joint Working Group, along with representatives from business groups and the Crown.

"The PSA has been campaigning for equal pay for more than 100 years, and it’s high time we closed the gender pay gap once and for all," Ms Polaczuk says.

"We eagerly await the new legislation, as well as the resolution of equal pay claims for social workers, DHB admin and clerical staff - and many more to come."

ENDS

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