The difficulty has always been valuing the jobs women perform against those industries dominated by men and deciding what pay rate should be apportioned to women. Importantly, three Cabinet ministers issued the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Joint Working Group on Pay Equity. A pathway will be established for resolving pay equity issues, just as happens with other employment matters, including mediation and ultimately the Employment Relations Authority. The Government has decided to supplement the group’s recommendations to clarify how to choose an appropriate job for comparison when making a pay equity claim. New Zealand has a proud history of introducing voting for women in 1893 but voting rights and pay equity have been separated throughout those ensuing 123 years.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 04, 2016 17:22 UTC