The commission is now aiming to survey young people\u2019s understanding of pay equity to inform its future work on the topic.<\/p>\n
Documents show an indicative budget for the survey of between $30,000 and $65,000, and outline that understanding how young people make sense of issues such as pay equity is \u201ccritical\u201d to \u201cbuilding durable public support for pay equity and gender equity\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the commission said its position is that the amendments \u201cundermine human rights\u202fin Aotearoa New Zealand, including\u202fthe\u202fspecific\u202fhuman rights dimensions of\u202fte\u202fTiriti\u202fo\u202fWaitangi\u201d.<\/p>\n
It said the planned research is part of its \u201congoing core work programme\u201d, adding \u201cpay equity, or equal pay for work of equal value, is a fundamental human right\u201d.<\/p>\n
It also said the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, professor Gail Pachecho, has the statutory responsibility of promoting \u201cequal employment opportunities\u201d, including pay equity.<\/p>\n
Van Velden told Newstalk ZB she was surprised the commission would claim changes made to the legislation would undermine human rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Acting Attorney-General concluded at the time that the Equal Pay Amendment Bill was consistent with the Bill of Rights Act. I am also satisfied that the changes are consistent with New Zealand\u2019s Treaty of Waitangi and international obligations, as I advised Cabinet at the time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Van Velden wrote to and met with the Human Rights Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner last year \u201cto relay these exact points\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who cares about the durability of the pay equity system would support the Government\u2019s changes, which are focused on identifying genuine cases of sex-based discrimination, and which improve the affordability of the system so that it may endure for years to come,\u201d van Velden said.<\/p>\n
She recently said former MPs were \u201cfree to hold their own opinions\u201d about the policy, reiterating \u201cequal pay is here to stay\u201d, after the launch of a \u201cpeople\u2019s select committee\u201d report criticising<\/a> the reform.<\/p>\n