15 May 2009 - The Human Rights Commission will host a round table to advance issues of pay and employment equity following the disestablishment of the Pay and Employment Equity Unit this week.

EEO Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor welcomed the Government's interest in ensuring that pay and employment equity is the responsibility of all employers, not just state sector employers. The round table will explore ways of continuing the momentum towards closing the gender pay gap.

Dr McGregor was a member of the steering advisory group for the Unit. She said, "I am disappointed by the decision to dispense with the Unit and saddened for the staff involved."

"The Pay and Employment Equity Unit ensured there was sustained attention on the undervaluing of women's work in the labour market and the lack of representation of women at senior levels in the workforce."

Dr McGregor said, "My concern is that without strong Government commitment and leadership on this human rights issue, the public and private sectors will lack incentive to address these issues."

"So we don't lose momentum, interested parties such as employers, trade unions, policy agencies and women's organisations need to talk about how to advance public debate and employer understanding of the need to commit to pay and employment equity."

The Minister of Labour Hon Kate Wilkinson has been invited to speak at the round table.

Despite the demise of the Unit, public sector chief executives had a statutory responsibility to be good employers. They are unable to opt out of the mandatory requirements to include women's rights in the workplace, Dr McGregor said.