1.Equal Pay Day

Equal Pay Day this year is 1 September 2011. This is day on which women 'catch up' to men in terms of wages. That date is the point into a year that a woman must work to earn what a man made in the previous financial year. Last year, women had to work on average an extra 66 days  to earn what men earned at 1 July 2010. This is In 2010, the  3 days more than in 2009, representing an increase in the gender pay gap from 17% in 2009 to 18% in 2010. For more information on what Equal Pay is all about (it's not just about getting the same wage for exactly the same job!!), go to:

http://www.equalpayday.com.au

2. The Social and Community Services sector Pay Equity campaign:

On 6 May 2009 the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) handed down an historic pay decision for workers in the social and community services sector - a significant proportion of whom are female. A new Queensland award for the sector has also been created. For years the sector has been significantly underpaid for the important work it performs. For a discussion of the decision and the impact for your work and wages, go to the Australian Services Union website or to read the decision, go to the QIRC website .

On 11 March 2010, the Australian Services Union, on behalf of workers in this social and community services across the entire country, made application to the Federal body, Fair Work Australia, to replicate this historic win for these workers across Australia. This campaign is just beginning, and is a crucial step in ensuring equal pay for equal work across the nation. Go here to get involved in the campaign to achieve pay equity in this important sector. 

The Campaign now continues at a federal level in Fair Work Australia

3.  The House of Representatives' Pay Equity Report

In 2009, the House of Representatives has released it's Report into Pay Equity for Australian women. Alarmingly, the average industry gender pay gap still stands around 17% today with some industries like finance and insurance at 31.9% and in Western Australia at 35.7% even under boom conditions. Women are more likely to be dependent on pensions as they age because of the great disparity in the accumulation of superannuation and retirement monies compared to men.  Women miss out on the opportunity to accumulate superannuation because of interruptions to paid employment for family reasons (to have and care for children) compounded by lower pay.

The report makes a number of recommendations on how the gender pay gap can be better addressed through legislation and policy action. Click here to read to full report and recommendations.