Let workers talk about pay: Greens

The Greens have introduced a bill to stop employers gagging their workers from talking about their pay rates, in a bid to reduce the gender pay gap.

The Australian Greens want to reduce the gender pay gap by removing restrictions on workers discussing their pay rates.

Greens senator Larissa Waters introduced a private bill to parliament on Thursday to render "gag clauses" in employment contracts ineffective, allowing employees to discuss their rates of pay without fear of being sacked.

Pay secrecy could hide discrimination and bias and having transparency would force employers to justify salary decisions, she said.