PAY EQUITY REPORT SHOWS WORK CHOICES EFFECT ON WOMEN
Published Tuesday, 30 October, 2007 at 10:33 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Early warnings from Australian industrial relations experts that claimed the gender pay gap would grow under Work Choices have come to fruition according to an independent report by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC).
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel today thanked Commissioner Glenys Fisher for the report.
“The Queensland Government had directed the QIRC to review the gains made in pay equity in Queensland and to explore ways these gains might be protected at the state level under the Work Choices environment,” Mr Mickel said.
“The report clearly shows that Queensland has been at the forefront in tackling the chronic gap between men and women’s pay.
“After the Government’s first Pay Equity Inquiry six years ago, we led Australia by introducing changes to our industrial relations legislation, resulting in successful claims for dental assistants and child care workers for increased pay.
“Unfortunately, submissions to QIRC inquiry showed the loss of work value tests by industrial tribunals, collective remedies, unfair dismissal protections and award classifications under Work Choices saw pay inequity increase.
“The greatest casualties are vulnerable casual and part-time women workers in low paid, female dominated industries like childcare, aged care, hairdressing, retail, hospitality, health and community services.
“In Australia’s current tight labour market, more women are needed in the workforce now than ever. Equal pay and family friendly conditions provide a greater incentive to women to return to the workforce – knowing their work is equally remunerated and their contribution equally valued.”
Mr Mickel told Parliament today the Queensland Government would carefully examine the QIRC recommendations, some of which were already being implemented by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
“Whilst the report shows our options for action are limited by the regime of Work Choices, the Queensland Government is committed to continued work with employers and unions to minimise the gender pay gap and to improve work and family balance for all Queensland workers,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125
October 30, 2007
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel today thanked Commissioner Glenys Fisher for the report.
“The Queensland Government had directed the QIRC to review the gains made in pay equity in Queensland and to explore ways these gains might be protected at the state level under the Work Choices environment,” Mr Mickel said.
“The report clearly shows that Queensland has been at the forefront in tackling the chronic gap between men and women’s pay.
“After the Government’s first Pay Equity Inquiry six years ago, we led Australia by introducing changes to our industrial relations legislation, resulting in successful claims for dental assistants and child care workers for increased pay.
“Unfortunately, submissions to QIRC inquiry showed the loss of work value tests by industrial tribunals, collective remedies, unfair dismissal protections and award classifications under Work Choices saw pay inequity increase.
“The greatest casualties are vulnerable casual and part-time women workers in low paid, female dominated industries like childcare, aged care, hairdressing, retail, hospitality, health and community services.
“In Australia’s current tight labour market, more women are needed in the workforce now than ever. Equal pay and family friendly conditions provide a greater incentive to women to return to the workforce – knowing their work is equally remunerated and their contribution equally valued.”
Mr Mickel told Parliament today the Queensland Government would carefully examine the QIRC recommendations, some of which were already being implemented by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
“Whilst the report shows our options for action are limited by the regime of Work Choices, the Queensland Government is committed to continued work with employers and unions to minimise the gender pay gap and to improve work and family balance for all Queensland workers,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125
October 30, 2007