By Liz Puranam
Air New Zealand has pulled out of its membership with the Employers and Manufacturers Association.
The decision follows last week's comments from EMA CEO Alasdair Thompson that women are paid less than men because they take more time off work for what he called their "monthly sickness".
The protests continued today outside the headquarters of the EMA. It's been more than a week since Mr Thompson caused outrage across the country with his comments, and this afternoon Air New Zealand decided to cancel its membership with Business New Zealand's "major companies group", which brings with it membership of the EMA.
In a letter to staff, Air NZ CEO Rob Fyfe said;
"I have received a number of questions asking whether Air New Zealand is a member of the EMA, following outrage at the CEO's public comments, suggesting women are less productive and take more sick leave because of their monthly periods.
“Air New Zealand was a member of the EMA. We terminated our membership this week"
The company said the decision was to do with both the costs and benefits of the membership and Mr Thompson's comments.
But the woman Mr Thompson was debating with when he made the comments says cutting ties with the EMA isn't the answer.
“Businesses that don't agree with Alasdair Thompson has said and actually what the EMA have stood for for the last 10 years, their obligation really is not to simply walk away and pretend it's not their problem but to get into the organisation and change it and step up on the issue of pay equity,” says Helen Kelly.
The EMA wouldn't comment on Air New Zealand's decision or tell us when they will make a decision on Mr Thompson's future, who is currently on sick leave.
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