Hourly Pay goes up but not for women

Media Release - Pay Equity Challenge Coalition

For immediate release

Hourly Pay goes up but not for women

Figures released ;last week show that women’s pay rates are not keeping pace with men’s pay increases and that the gap between men and women’s pay has widened, says the Pay Equity Challenge Coalition.

“Government’s abandonment of any concrete action to ensure women are paid fairly is coming home to roost,” said coalition spokesperson Angela McLeod.

“This is a concern not only for every women worker struggling to make ends meet on low pay and less hours of work, but for the wider economy.

The wage data released this week shows the widening of the gender pay gap from 12. 856% in September 2011 to 14.18. in September 2012.

“This is a significant increase and there seems to be a trend in the data of a growing gap looking which is very worrying.”

“There are many reasons to support pay equity and closing the pay gap. Research both here and internationally suggests that reducing the gender pay gap increases productivity and therefore increases GDP.

“If the government is committed to building a stronger economy, and improving productivity, then it needs to start valuing the contribution of women to the economy and demonstrate a commitment to equal pay and pay equity.

“We need a response from the Government on these figures, witha plan to value the female workforce through a commitment to reducing the gender pay gap” said Angela McLeod.

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