Pay equity’s time has come

The Government is to be applauded for its announcement of the establishment of a Taskforce to progress pay and employment equity in the public service, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“PSA believes pay and employment equity’s time has come in New Zealand and it is up to public service employers to take the lead. The state sector - including the public service and the health sector - as a major employer and one which employs significant numbers of women and other groups who are traditionally disadvantaged in pay rates, such as Maori, Pacific peoples, and people with disabilities, has a responsibility to address the issue.”

Richard Wagstaff said that PSA had incorporated a pay and employment equity plan into its strategic plan and earlier this year launched its It’s Time: Pay and Employment Equity Agenda which included a series of symposiums canvassing the latest thinking and approaches to addressing inequities in the workplace. He said PSA was very encouraged by today’s announcement by the government and was pleased to see the issues on which the taskforce will focus reflected those that were raised at the symposiums.

“Pay and employment equity should encompass not only issues such as equal pay for equal value but also issues such as a living minimum wage and work/life balance. This will, however, need a co-ordinated and concerted commitment from employers, unions, and government.”

“PSA believes that achieving pay and employment equity will have significant consequences including a fairer society and a stronger and more dynamic economy. It will also make working in the state sector more attractive when pay rates and employment conditions are fair and equitable.”

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