The recent passage of the Equity Pay Amendment Bill has caused a big stir in Wellington and all over New Zealand. This new law has made people very angry and happy at the same time. Some say it’s good for business, but many others think it’s bad for women’s rights.

What’s Changed and Why People Are Mad

The big change in the Equity Pay bill is that it stopped 33 cases where women were trying to get paid the same as men for the same work. Now, these cases are gone. Also, the bill makes it much harder to prove that someone is being paid less because they are a woman. You need more proof now.

People who like the bill, like some business leaders and government people, say it makes things clearer and stops silly lawsuits. “This new law makes sure we have clear rules for pay,” said one MP who supported it. They think the old rules were too confusing.

Women’s Rights Groups Are Very Upset

But groups that fight for women’s rights and some lawyers are very upset. They say this law takes away progress in making pay fair for men and women. “By making it harder to prove pay is unfair, the government is making it almost impossible for women,” said someone from the Equal Work Alliance. They think this law is not about making things easier but about stopping women from speaking up.

People Are Protesting and Lawyers Are Worried

Since the bill passed, lots of people in Wellington and other cities have been protesting. They want “Equal Pay for Equal Work.” Lawyers are also worried because stopping cases that were already happening might not be legal. They think this could be challenged in court.

Business groups, however, are happy. They say this law helps them know what to expect and stops people from using pay laws in the wrong way. Some think this law is about money worries in tough economic times.

What This Could Mean for the Future

People who don’t like the bill are worried it will make the pay gap between men and women bigger again. They’ve worked hard for years to make it smaller. “This could hurt New Zealand’s good name when it comes to women’s rights,” said someone from UN Women. They think New Zealand was known for being good at this, but now it might not be.

Looking Ahead

The talk about this bill isn’t over. There might be more protests, court cases, and political fights. Equal pay is a big issue now in Wellington and New Zealand.

While some are happy with the bill, thinking it’s a smart move, others are ready to keep fighting. One thing is for sure: the discussion about equal pay isn’t going away soon.

Statistics and Research

According to recent data from Stats NZ, the gender pay gap in New Zealand stood at 9.2% in 2020, down from 9.3% in 2019. However, with the new bill, experts like those from the Victoria University of Wellington predict a potential increase due to the higher burden of proof required for discrimination claims.

Research from the Human Rights Commission indicates that women in New Zealand earn on average $0.91 for every dollar earned by men, highlighting the ongoing challenge of achieving pay equity.

This article was brought to you by One Network Wellington Live, your source for local news and community issues in Wellington.