YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand condemns the Government’s
decision to dismantle crucial pay equity legislation. This
regressive move undermines decades of progress toward gender
justice and puts the economic security of women and
gender-diverse people at serious risk.
The repealed
provisions were hard-won to address entrenched inequalities
in Aotearoa’s labour market. Removing them not only
reinforces outdated and discriminatory systems but signals
to young people across the country that fairness, equity,
and inclusion are no longer national
priorities.
The Government has admitted
the changes could save billions of dollars, while at the
same time, confirming that money saved will not be
specifically used to support women. This sends a strong
message: “women working in undervalued jobs are being
asked to carry the cost of balancing the Budget,” says
Charlotte Muggeridge, YWCA A/NZ Co-President and YWCA World
Vice-President.
“When legal claims are
cancelled overnight and those savings are celebrated, it’s
clear the cost is falling on women. These workers have spent
years trying to be fairly paid for the important work they
do. Forcing them to start again under tougher rules is not
fair.”
Aaminah Ghani, fellow YWCA A/NZ Co-president
states, “Young women already face some of the most
precarious economic conditions with rising costs, unstable
work, and systemic bias. Removing legal mechanisms for pay
equity tells us our futures don’t matter. We deserve
better, and we will fight for it.”
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A YWCA A/NZ Board
Member, who is also a young woman, says “For young women
entering the workforce, this sends the worst possible
message: that the system is not designed to work for you.
Pay equity was never about handouts, it was about
fairness.”
YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand is calling on
the Government to reverse these changes, protect the right
to fair pay, and make sure workers in women-dominated jobs
are treated with the value and respect they deserve. Even if
the contents of the Act are not agreed by our political
parties, we need to ensure that fair, proper processes are
undertaken when considering law changes in New
Zealand.
