Even Business Should Support Pay Equity

"Pay discrimination against women is in breach of international human rights law and even Business NZ should support its elimination," Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

Business NZ has slammed the Pay Equity Task Force announced yesterday as "completely unacceptable".

"The International Labour Organisation has just this month released a Global Report 'Time for Equality at Work' which will be discussed at the ILO Conference in Geneva next month," Ross Wilson said.

Ross Wilson said the New Zealand delegation will include Business NZ leaders.

"The ILO report notes that there is still gender discrimination in employment in most countries including New Zealand, and calls for urgent measures to eliminate it," he said.

"Our Government, in establishing the Task Force, is not only acting to address a major structural injustice to women in the labour market, it is also honouring our international legal obligations.

"Even Business NZ should be supporting this welcome initiative on behalf of New Zealand women."