MPs carry red bags for equal pay

Male MPs, unionists and other supporters demonstrated men's support for fixing the gender pay gap by carrying Equal Pay day red bags at Parliament. Photo / NZPA

Labour and Green MPs parading bright red bags were outside Parliament today to show support for protests against unequal gender pay.

Labour MPs Grant Robertson, Phil Twyford, Trevor Mallard and Kelvin Davis and Green MPs Dave Clendon, Keith Locke and Gareth Hughes today highlighted the gap between men's and women's wages for Equal Pay Day on Friday.

Pay Equity Challenge Coalition spokeswoman Angela McLeod said the current gender pay gap in New Zealand, measured on an hourly rate, was 12.4 per cent.

She said the red bags represent how women are in the red with their pay, as they have to work until today to earn the same amount as their male colleagues for the previous calender year.

"Achieving equality between men and women is not just the women's concern. That is why we have chosen to give red bags to the male leaders here today and draw attention to the equity issues," Ms McLeod said.

"Whether we like it or not, the majority of our employers are men, the majority of our politicians are men -- we need their support."

She called on the Government to address the issue.

"The challenge was laid down on this Government way back in 2009 to tell us what their plans were to closing the gender pay gap. We still don't know," Ms McLeod said.

Mr Locke said the gap was unjust for women and there should be a pay equity review.

"Forces are not going to address this inequality. We see that year after year ... it requires political action. It requires task forces."

Mr Twyford said unequal pay marginalised women and it needed to be addressed.

"Pay inequity is one of the big drivers of the marginalisation of women, and if we believe that women and girls can do anything, then equal pay is one of the most important steps for us.

"It's actually about women's empowerment," he said.

The MPs later carried their red bags into the House.

- NZPA