Strong action is being demanded from the Government and employers on the issue of equal pay.

Statistics New Zealand figures show the gap between what men and women earn increased 19 percent in the year to June, it's now just under 12 percent.

Public Service Association National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says too many people have sat on their hands and thought the free market would resolve the problem.

"there's too much complacency and apathy on this problem it's been here for decades now after the equal pay legislation and it's time some people took some serious steps, the PSA has been encouraging the government and employers let's really examine the cause of these problems and look for some solutions."

The Government's being urged to lead the way by sorting out the public sector which, he said, actually has an even greater pay gap than the private sector.

He believes the Government should make a start by getting its own house in order with "better pay and conditions for women within the public sector, improved systems, [and looking] at issues such as time out for child care and so on and make sure that doesn't disadvantage women."