Fair Pay Agreements in a nutshell

Fair Pay Agreements are a way of deciding what’s a fair way to treat working people in a particular industry. They cover things like pay, hours, leave and health and safety.

FPAs are a new part of New Zealand’s employment law that are being proposed by the current Government. They will set minimum standards of employment for everyone in a particular industry.

That means, for example, that nobody in that industry can be paid less than the rate agreed. It’s like the minimum wage, but for a specific industry. This will be negotiated by unions and employers in that industry.

Fair Pay Agreements are also about lifting pay and conditions in industries that are often low-paying.