Friday, 25 January 2008
Pay equity an issue all the way to the top
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) research released today which shows that even women in top earning positions in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) top 200 companies earn much less than their male counterparts is deeply concerning.
Commissioner Broderick said the data revealed in the report titled ‘Gender Income Distribution of Top Earners’ makes it clear that we have to get serious about closing the gap between female and male earnings.
“The figures from this report tell us that our task stretches from the bottom rungs of the labour market all the way to the top, where you'd think our leading companies would be doing much better,” said Ms Broderick.
“We need much greater leadership from business on this issue and a much stronger focus on the systemic problem of pay inequity for women as a whole. Women continue to be denied equal pay for equal work across the spectrum of employment arrangements.
“With just seven per cent of women in the top earning category, it is particularly disappointing that even those women who make it to the top as Chief Financial Officers or Chief Operating Officers, despite all the barriers they face, still find themselves paid up to 50 per cent less than men at the same level.”
Commissioner Broderick said that there were many reasons for this discrepancy, such as occupational segregation, the impact of family responsibilities, and the pervasive influence of gender stereotypes.
“But these are not excuses - there are many things companies can do to close the gap, such as pay equity audits,” she said.
“I'd like to see Company Boards taking this up as an issue, and I also think government has a role to play. Reforms to the industrial relations system need to make sure that closing the gender pay gap is front and centre. There is also a need for a program of monitoring and regular audits, together with resources to assist women with negotiating in the workplace, and the development of mentoring networks and champions.
“I'd also like to see strong leadership from male CEOs on the issue of gender equality as a whole.”
Commissioner Broderick is currently conducting a national ‘Listening Tour’ to hear Australians’ views on issues concerning equality between men and women. Have your say at the online blog at www.humanrights.gov.au/listeningtour/
Media contact: Paul Oliver on (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
