Gender pay gap widens under National

As the gender pay gap increases, it is clear the Government has no plan to reduce that gap despite the Minister of Women’s Affairs saying it was a top priority, Labour women’s affairs spokesperson, Sue Moroney says.

“Labour's comprehensive plan to reduce the gap saw it close to 11.94% in March 2009, but since National closed down the Pay and Employment Equity Unit in June 2009, the pay gap has opened to 12.81% in just one year,” Sue Moroney said.

“National has failed New Zealand women because it has failed to recognise the issues that face women.

“Since the Minister of Women's Affairs Pansy Wong took over the responsibility for pay equity, all that has been achieved is a rehash of research that already exists and increasing inequity.

“In the year 2010 it is just not good enough that the gap between what men and women earn is widening and that the current Government doesn’t seem to notice.

"Given John Key’s recent fudging of figures around the fact that the wage gap between New Zealand and Australia has widened since National took office it seems doubtful that women in this country will see any significant movements made to address the wage gap between men and women in New Zealand.

“Every New Zealander needs to be paid a decent wage. Sadly National have shown they simply cannot be trusted on issues around wages and workers rights.

“New Zealand women have been left out in the cold by a Government more interested in fudging figures than getting real about the wages and salaries paid to women in this country,” Sue Moroney said.

ENDS

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