The Gender Pay Principles for the State Sector are an important step towards pay equity for all women in New Zealand, and a proud win for unions, the PSA says.

The Principles have been released today at parliament and they set out a roadmap for how state sector agencies should address gender-based inequalities at work.

They were developed by a working group made up of unions, public service agencies and the State Services Commission (SSC) - formed after the PSA filed a court case against the SSC in the Employment Relations Authority.

"These Principles will apply to every aspect of the employment cycle and will fix systemic practices that contribute to gender pay gaps," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"They will allow all employees of all genders to achieve their full potential - and will also understand how factors like ethnicity, disability, age and security of employment compound gender bias.

"The PSA has been campaigning on equal pay for more than 100 years.

"It’s a great day to celebrate this win, acknowledge the amazing mahi of the women who went before us - and energise women for the task ahead."

The Principles will apply to the 31 Public Service departments in the State Sector Act, with a view to their extension across the wider state sector.
The five core Principles are freedom from bias and discrimination, transparency and accessibility, acknowledging the relationship between paid and unpaid work, sustainability, and participation and engagement.

Each Principle adds an issue statement, and a clear explanation of what each will mean in the workplace.

Ms Polaczuk says the Principles are a reminder of what workers can achieve when they stand together for a better working life.

"The PSA is proud to have played a part in bringing the Principles to life," she says.

"They will be amplified by a range of other actions by ministers, chief executives and unions to deliver sustainable change.

"We are thrilled that this important piece of work has been completed, and look forward to the Principles being implemented across the State Sector."
ENDS

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