The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is cautiously optimistic about Labour’s commitment to restore pay equity within its first 100 days and give 65,000 care and support workers an immediate $4 an hour pay rise.
“An extra $160 a week from 1 January 2027 will make a tangible difference for these women, who have struggled to keep up with rent, groceries and the power bill while the Luxon Government shut the door on their claim,” says Melissa Ansell-Bridges, NZCTU Secretary.
“But let’s be clear – a pay rise is not pay equity. Unions will keep pushing until care and support workers, and every other woman whose claim was cut short in 2025, receive the pay equity they are owed.
“That’s why Labour’s commitment to restore the law without sending workers back to square one matters, along with Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds’s pledge to have the care and support settlement done by her first Budget in May 2027. We’ll be holding them to that.
“This announcement is recognition of the care and support workers, their unions, and everyone who has marched, rallied and refused to give up since pay equity was taken away. Their persistence has put it back on the agenda.
“With the Greens also committed to restoring pay equity and funding a settlement, there is now real momentum behind paying care and support workers what their work is worth. We look forward to that settlement being bargained with the workers and their unions – E tū, NZNO, and the PSA.
“Pay equity is a right, not a favour. The Luxon Government took it away from low-paid women, and working people will remember which parties stood with them,” says Ansell-Bridges.
