Human Rights Commission
Media release
1 July, 2009

Good response to pay equity round table

There has been a strong show of support for the Human Rights Commission’s round table on pay equity planned for August.

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor said,
“We have approached the major players on this issue, and employers and business organisations, unions and other stakeholders have expressed their willingness to take part.”

The pay equity round table was proposed as a way of finding fresh approaches to the issue of pay equity and in particular the gender pay gap that sees women earn on average 12 per cent less than men.

The invitation-only round table will bring the key players together in a forum hosted by the Commission. As part of the statutory role, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner is required to work towards achieving equity in pay.

While the Commission supports progress on pay equity issues, it is not part of the coalition of organisations mounting a public campaign on the issue as reported this week.

The Commission confirmed that it is assessing a complaint from the Public Service Association that the Government’s decision to discontinue the pay equity investigation in the public service may be unlawful under the Human Rights Act.

ENDS

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