Women in red see red - please join this campaign
It will take the average woman full time worker an extra 3 months to earn the same amount as the equivalent man earned in the last financial year. And
the gap is getting bigger! This year it took four days more women's paid work to close the gap. To 'celebrate' our wages deficit, we recognise September 1 as the equal pay day, and women's groups are asking women to wear something red to show we are sick of still earning less!
Women's Electoral Lobby suggests a red rose as a way of reminding us all that life is about both bread and roses, but fair rewards for both are important. Give one to your boss and send one to your local member to remind them that too many 'women's jobs' are undervalued and under paid. It is not
acceptable that women earn 82% of male ordinary time earnings and do not share equally in pay rises. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings rose by 6.5% for males and 5.2% for females in the twelve months to May 2009. (ABS).
We would like endorsements for the following Statement to be sent to the Federal Government:
Women's organisations call upon the Federal Government to take immediate action to redress growing inequality in wages between women and men. Equal
Pay Day on the 1st September women will be wearing red and Women's Electoral Lobby will deliver red roses to politicians and employers because women workers are in the red compared to men's earnings. A red rose is a way of reminding us all that life is about bread and roses, but fair rewards are important for both.
Women's Electoral Lobby are calling on the Federal Government to immediately appoint the new Fair Wage Panel and asked them to start the process to increase the Federal Minimum Wage. The now disbanded Fair Pay Commission failed to grant an increase in its final decision. This Decision went against increases granted in State tribunals. The Federal Minimum Wage is important for women as women rely upon it more than male workers and women are more likely to be low paid.
Women in the red in retirement - Women have about a third of superannuation that men have.
Women more likely to be low paid and rely on awards and the safety net.
Women over-represented in the lower levels of the public sector.
Women are more likely to be part-time and have insecure employment contracts.
Women's occupations still undervalued.
Only 1 in 12 of board directors of ASX 200 is a woman.
And ....we still do most of the housework and care tasks!!!
Contact NSW Women's Electoral Lobby representaative NSW Representative, Eva Cox:
Eva.Cox@uts.edu.au, if you are participating, either individually or as a group.
By the way, artificial roses are available at discount shops for 50c to $1.50.
