October 21, 2015
Race gap hidden in gender gap
A review of the gender gap in wage rates could have a big impact on Maori incomes.
The government has agreed to set up a joint working group with unions and employers to explore ways to set a fair wage in industries dominated by women.
It follows the Employment Court agreeing with an aged care worker that the reason for her low wage was gender discrimination.
Green MP Denise Roche says while overall women are paid on average 12 percent less than men, for Maori and Pasifika women the gap is about 16 to 18 percent.
"That is a real indication of how wages are kept low and how the work of women is undervalued, particularly where there are high concentrations of Pasifika and Maori women as there are in the care sector. So this is great and it will be great for local economies too. If our wahine are gettng more money in their pockets they will be spending it in the local economies," Ms Roche says.
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