Time To Close the Pay Gap

"The Government Taskforce to address pay equity in the public sector is a positive and constructive step towards the valuing of work traditionally done by women," said Ross Wilson, president of the Council of Trade Unions today.The Minister of Labour has announced the establishment of a Taskforce to progress pay and employment equity in the public service.

"This provides a welcome framework within which the pay equity initiatives already launched by the Nurses Union and PSA can be developed," he said.

"Pay discrimination against women workers is a serious issue which has not been addressed for more than a decade."

Ross Wilson said other groups, particularly Maori, Pasifika and migrant workers and workers with disabilities also faced pay discrimination.

"It is important that the work done by this Taskforce helps us address pay disparities for these workers as well," he said.

Ross Wilson acknowledged the expertise and experience of the two Taskforce chairs.

The CTU will have three nominees on the Taskforce.

"We look forward to making a real contribution to the goal of ending all forms of pay discrimination in the public sector,"he said.