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Changes to equal pay legislation are set to provide employees in female-dominated occupations with a clearer pathway to pay equity, according to Women's Minister Jan Tinetti.
Tinetti says the changes to the Equal Pay Act are significant for women and will have a positive impact on those in some of the lowest-paid occupations.
“No one should be paid less just because they work in a female-dominated occupation," she says.
“Achieving pay equity and putting more money in the hands of the lowest-paid workers has a significant positive impact on their lives, and is likely to have flow-on benefits to their whānau and the wider community."
The law changes make it easier for unions and individual employees to raise a pay equity claim directly with an employer.
There are currently more than 86,000 New Zealanders progressing 15 pay equity claims in education, health and the public sector.