[New Zealand] Legislation allowing workers to discuss pay likely to pass into law

In New Zealand, a Labour Party member's bill intended to stop employers enforcing gag orders on workers talking about their salaries will likely pass into law, RNZ reports.

Labour MP Camilla Belich's bill,  the Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill - passed its second reading on July 16.

At present, employers can include pay secrecy clauses in workers' contracts, which stop them from discussing their salaries with colleagues.

Ms Belich's bill would reportedly make pay gag clauses unenforceable, meaning employers could not take legal action against an employee who does talk about pay.

Speaking to RNZ, Ms Belich said she was pleased to see the bill progress.

"Ending the chilling effect of pay secrecy will allow employees to discuss their pay more freely, and allow any unfairness or discrimination in pay to be remedied."

She added that it was a "small step" towards "greater transparency and equality" in the workplace.

The National Party supported the bill at first reading and, during the debate for the second reading, suggested that it would continue to do so, meaning the bill could potentially become law.

Vanessa Weenink - acting chair of the education and workforce select committee - said the bill was a sensible step in the right direction.

"I was proud of our parliament and proud of National's ongoing work to reduce the gender pay gap," she said. "I want to highlight the voluntary pay gap calculator for businesses and hope when this bill becomes law, that it opens up discussions about pay."

Both ACT and New Zealand First voted against the amendment bill, and reportedly are expected to do so again at third reading.

Source: RNZ

(Quotes via original reporting)

In New Zealand, a Labour Party member's bill intended to stop employers enforcing gag orders on workers talking about their salaries will likely pass into law, RNZ reports.

Labour MP Camilla Belich's bill,  the Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill - passed its second reading on July 16.

At present, employers can include pay secrecy clauses in workers' contracts, which stop them from discussing their salaries with colleagues.

Ms Belich's bill would reportedly make pay gag clauses unenforceable, meaning employers could not take legal action against an employee who does talk about pay.

Speaking to RNZ, Ms Belich said she was pleased to see the bill progress.

"Ending the chilling effect of pay secrecy will allow employees to discuss their pay more freely, and allow any unfairness or discrimination in pay to be remedied."

She added that it was a "small step" towards "greater transparency and equality" in the workplace.

The National Party supported the bill at first reading and, during the debate for the second reading, suggested that it would continue to do so, meaning the bill could potentially become law.

Vanessa Weenink - acting chair of the education and workforce select committee - said the bill was a sensible step in the right direction.

"I was proud of our parliament and proud of National's ongoing work to reduce the gender pay gap," she said. "I want to highlight the voluntary pay gap calculator for businesses and hope when this bill becomes law, that it opens up discussions about pay."

Both ACT and New Zealand First voted against the amendment bill, and reportedly are expected to do so again at third reading.

Source: RNZ

(Quotes via original reporting)