By The Daily Examiners- Mike Bain.
The coalition government introduced urgent changes to pay equity legislation in Parliament today, aiming to simplify the process for proving historical undervaluation of work.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized that the new system will be clearer and more workable, with projected savings of billions of dollars.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the aim is to have one system with “maximum levels of clarity
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden attributed the changes to issues arising from past legislative adjustments.
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour praised the revisions, framing them as a win for taxpayers and a step toward a fairer pay equity system.
NZ First leader Winston Peters said his party had always supported a fair go for women in the workforce, and rejected the notion workers were losing out from pay equity changes announced today.
Peters said nothing was being taken away from workers.
“You’re going to find better ways to uplift the wage structure for all people in this country, and we’ve always stood for that, but we’ve also argued that employers need tax assistance to be able to pay better wages.”
Peters rejected claims from Labour and the Greens that women were being thrown under the bus to pay for the government’s budget.
However, Labour and Green Party representatives condemned the move, arguing that women were being unfairly disadvantaged for budgetary reasons.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins slammed the changes, saying the government getting back into surplus should not be at the expense of women.
He said women had the right to be “absolutely furious”.
“Not only have the government kept this under wraps, they’re now using parliamentary urgency to take away a women’s right to equal pay. That is simply unacceptable.”
He said Willis was saying to women up and down the country: “Sorry, but you are the sacrificial lambs who are going to have to pay the price for the government’s forthcoming Budget.”
The Greens were also scathing, criticising the move to pass the law under urgency, with co-leader Marama Davidson saying the government was being “urgent in their cruelty to women and workers”.
She said it was a “disgusting” and “politically violent act” toward women and workers.
“This government is expecting women workers, and the lowest paid women workers, to bear the brunt of their tax cuts for the wealthy.”
Both Labour and the Greens said they would reverse the changes.
Unions have expressed deep concern over the legislation, arguing that halting current claims and requiring them to restart under stricter thresholds undermines the rights of workers seeking pay equity.
A leading union spokesperson said, “These changes set back the progress we’ve made in recognizing and addressing gender pay gaps. Workers deserve a fair and accessible claims process, not additional barriers.”
Employers, however, welcome the revisions.
One industry leader stated, “A more straightforward system reduces uncertainty for businesses. We support a pay equity framework that is clear, sustainable, and fair for both employees and employee.
