Press Release: For Immediate Release

Young Labour: Nats Drop Glass Ceiling On Women’s Heads

Tuesday, 30th June 2009

“The Minister of Women’s Affairs released a ‘clear goal for New Zealand women’ - ‘Women having real choices and using their strengths to maximise social and economic success’ yet she stood idly by as the specialist unit to achieve pay equity was disestablished in Bill’s slash and burn bonfire budget.” Young Labour’s Women’s Representative Nicole Skews said today.

“The government have tried to sweep this issue aside and deny there is a problem, or even that people cared. This is why Young Labour has joined over 25 other community organisations, women's groups and unions to rally outside Parliament today and demand action on pay equity.”

“The government refuses to front up with their true position, preferring to spout false promises in the vain hope that no one would notice as they betray half the population.” Ms Skews continued.”Actions like this show the government’s true priorities. I’d love to know where my brighter future is.”

So far this year the government has been made dizzy by there own spin, and have issued a slue of contradictions on this issue:

• Pansy Wong said that ensuring women were properly “valued for their contribution” was a priority.
• Bill English told a protest in Dunedin that “pay equity is not a priority”.
• Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Labour, axed the pay equity unit designed to research pay gap – despite admitting their research was excellent and against the advice of her own department
• Then Wong budgeted $2 million over 4 years to carry out further research
• Despite Wong’s apparent desire for more research, the National Council of Women of NZ recently stated that “We also support the Minister of Women’s Affairs… when she said that we have plenty of research and investigation on the need for Pay Parity.”
• When asked in the House in the House for her true opinion, Ms Wong was very confused.
• Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Labour, then axed the pay equity unit – despite admitting their research was excellent – against the advice of her own department

“Add to this confusion and incompetence, the fact that the Minister of Labour did not even know there would be a pay equity rally today – there is only one conclusion to be drawn. This government does not listen:

• not to their cabinet colleagues who are confused about priorities
• not to their own departments who insist there is still a problem that needs to be addressed
• not to NGOs and interest groups who are told one thing and then left out into the cold
• and not to women across NZ who continue to face inequality”

“Young Labour is here to represent young people, and knowing that progress on eradicating the gender pay gap is not a priority for this government is a very scary prospect for young women.

We are here today to demand real answers. We want decisions not diversions and we want equality not evasion.” concluded Ms Skews.

ENDS

© Scoop Media