The Government has passed legislation that raises the threshold for proving historic undervaluation in pay equity claims, prompting fierce criticism from opposition parties and union groups.

The Pay Equity Amendment Bill passed its final reading in Parliament around 7.45pm on Wednesday, with support from all Government parties.

All opposition parties opposed the bill.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the bill would improve the process for raising and resolving pay equity claims.

But critics say it will make it harder for women in female-dominated industries to prove their work has been historically undervalued.

Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said, “National has forced through a law change that will take money out of women’s pockets.”

“This dreadful process, rushing legislation through under urgency with no consultation, will result in women being paid less and that is a travesty,” she said.

“This Government is taking women backwards just so they can make their Budget add up. It is women who are paying for their billions in tax breaks for landlords and tobacco companies.”

Labour women’s spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said, “What this week has shown is Labour is the party that will stand up for women’s pay and women’s wages, while National tears them down.”

“National MPs will now need to front up to their communities about why they think women should be paid less than men. We will not let them forget it.”

Wigram MP Megan Woods said the bill would hurt thousands of women across essential sectors.

“Teachers, nurses, midwives, admin workers, care and support workers, and librarians are just some of the workers who will lose out because the government has decided to take money out of workers’ pockets to balance their budget,” she said.

“To add insult to injury, they are rushing this legislation through under urgency today without proper consultation with those affected, which is disgraceful.

“They are prioritising tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies over paying people what they deserve.

“National’s women MPs, particularly the Minister for Women, Nicola Grigg, need to front up and explain why they think women deserve less pay than men.”

In response, Unions Canterbury is organising a protest outside Minister for Women Nicola Grigg’s electorate office on Friday at 1PM.