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Upper House to consider motion backing equal pay case
Wednesday 09 June 2010
NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for women Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to support an equal pay case before Fair Work Australia, which would help drive an end to the pay gap between men and women.
In the NSW Upper House tomorrow Ms Rhiannon will bring on a motion that indicates support for the equal case initiated by the Australian Services Union (full motion below).
"Equal pay should be the norm and NSW MPs can show their support for this significant case by backing the Greens motion on equal pay," Ms Rhiannon said.
"With women in Australian earning on average 18 per cent less than men time for action is long overdue.
"It is of grave concern that the discrepancy between the pay of women and men is so wide.
"The fact that women on average have to work two months more a year than men to earn the same amount is disgraceful
"The Greens strongly support the campaign for equal pay. The Australian Services Union are doing a great job and tomorrow's rally backing the equal pay case deserves support," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 0427 861 568
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Equal Pay Motion - Ms Rhiannon to move:
This house notes that:
a) In 2009, the gap in average weekly earnings between men and women rose.
b) Women in Australia earn, on average, 18 percent less than men.
c) On average women have to work 66 days more a year just to earn the same income as men.
d) Feminised work has historically been undervalued and underpaid.
e) Equal pay is a social issue that affects us all.
f) An Equal Pay Case, brought by unions led by the Australian Services Union (ASU), is waiting to be heard by Fair Work Australia.
g) This case has been lodged on behalf of Australia's 200,000 community and disability workers and seeks to establish that the essential work of the community and disability sector carework has been traditionally seen as women's work.
h) Should this case be successful community workers will be awarded pay increases in the realm of 30 per cent.
i) Nationwide rallies will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2010 in support of the ASU's Equal Pay Case.
That this house:
j) Supports the equal pay case brought by the ASU to Fair Work
Australia on behalf of community and disability sector careworkers, and recognises that this case is needed to address pay discrepancies.
k) Calls on the government to commit to funding any wage increases
awarded in this case.
