Published Thursday, 31 May, 2007 at 07:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
PAY EQUITY SYMPOSIUM TO TACKLE UNFAIR PAY RATES FOR WOMEN
Industrial relations, financial and employment experts will gather in Brisbane today (Friday 01 June) to discuss gender pay equity issues as part of the State Government’s campaign to narrow the gap between male and female average wages.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said Friday’s symposium would complement an existing inquiry by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission into gender pay equity.
“The symposium will provide a platform for sharing ideas between experts in the field of pay equity and planning a way forward in achieving equal pay for men and women doing the same or comparable work,” he said.
“There is a line-up of speakers from different disciplines, including academics, unions, employer organisations, employers and government who have come from Australia and New Zealand to share their knowledge and experience.”
Mr Mickel said the symposium would investigate a range of issues, including pay equity, superannuation for women, the role of government and the implication of Work Choices.
“The Government will use the results of the symposium, as well as the current QIRC pay equity inquiry as part of its strategy to bring women’s pay rates into the 21st Century,” he said.
“In 2000, the State Government ordered a pay equity inquiry which resulted in 20 recommendations, the majority of which were adopted by the Queensland Government.
“The major outcomes included a general ruling about a Queensland minimum wage for all employees at least once a year by the QIRC and an Equal Remuneration Principle to guide the industrial deliberations.
“A funding program developed out of that inquiry saw a successful pay equity test cases run before the QIRC, resulting in Australia’s first arbitrated pay equity decision.
This led to pay increases to childcare workers and dental assistants.”
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Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
June 1, 2007
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said Friday’s symposium would complement an existing inquiry by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission into gender pay equity.
“The symposium will provide a platform for sharing ideas between experts in the field of pay equity and planning a way forward in achieving equal pay for men and women doing the same or comparable work,” he said.
“There is a line-up of speakers from different disciplines, including academics, unions, employer organisations, employers and government who have come from Australia and New Zealand to share their knowledge and experience.”
Mr Mickel said the symposium would investigate a range of issues, including pay equity, superannuation for women, the role of government and the implication of Work Choices.
“The Government will use the results of the symposium, as well as the current QIRC pay equity inquiry as part of its strategy to bring women’s pay rates into the 21st Century,” he said.
“In 2000, the State Government ordered a pay equity inquiry which resulted in 20 recommendations, the majority of which were adopted by the Queensland Government.
“The major outcomes included a general ruling about a Queensland minimum wage for all employees at least once a year by the QIRC and an Equal Remuneration Principle to guide the industrial deliberations.
“A funding program developed out of that inquiry saw a successful pay equity test cases run before the QIRC, resulting in Australia’s first arbitrated pay equity decision.
This led to pay increases to childcare workers and dental assistants.”
______________________________________
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
June 1, 2007