Equal pay checks get tick from Labour

Labour welcomes moves by Green MP Catherine Delahunty to introduce checks and balances to the Pay Equity Act as a positive initiative in an otherwise negative and outdated environment for gender equity, says Labour's Women's Affairs Spokesperson Carol Beaumont.

"Catherine Delahunty's Member's Bill will ensure it is possible access information about pay rates and test whether gender discrimination exists.
"The individualised nature of most employment agreements has created the situation where knowledge of pay rates within many workplaces is nonexistent. This Bill will change that," Carol Beaumont said.

"Unequal pay rates are thought to be widespread. The Government's closing of the Pay and Employment Equity Unit and its failure to implement pay audits has done nothing to rectify that, hence the gender pay gap continues to contribute to lifelong disadvantage to women and their families.

"It impacts on household income and women's ability to save for their retirement.

"Unlike the Government - which has shown a complete disregard for dealing with inequity in the workplace - Labour has a proud track record in fighting for women's rights at work. It has a strong policy for pay equity to take into this election and this Bill is entirely in line with our thinking," said Carol Beaumont.

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