MEDIACOM-RELEASE-PSA

Today's celebration of International Working Women's Day has been made all the more relevant with the release of draft new employment laws coming next week, the PSA national secretary Lynn Middleton said.

`A decade of living under the Employment Contracts Act has systematically reduced the status of working woman and their earning capacity in Kiwi society.

That, thankfully, is now behind us,' she said.

`Woman entering the workforce for the first time or after a parenting break have been forced into casual, low skill and poorly paid work and often left to look after themselves.

`The new employment laws will be fairer, more inclusive and based on collective organisation,' Ms Middleton said.

Progress on paid parental leave and pay equity are key reforms we expect from the new Government and which the PSA will continue to lobby for, she said.

`There is a ready acceptance of the need to rebuild the capacity of the public service and the quality of that service delivered to all New Zealanders.

`Women will be advantaged by this - whether as receivers of improved public services or as part of the working people who deliver those services,' Ms Middleton said.

For further comment please call Lynn Middleton on 04 917 0333 or 025 30601.

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