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MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
–
Expert comment on women and pay –
A federal parliamentary committee report to be released today will call for major
reforms to overcome the average 17 per cent pay gap between men and women.
The committee is expected to recommend Fair Work Australia be given the power
to specifically consider gender when making pay determinations, meaning
traditionally female-dominated industries would be able to argue their workforce
was entitled to more money on the basis of gender.
Employers could also be ordered to produce annual pay audits, under the
recommendations.
What are the reasons behind Australia’s continuing gender pay gap?
Why do industries generally dominated by women – such as child care or aged
care – tend be poorly paid?
How do pay equity audits work?
What effect have they had on Australian companies that have voluntarily
conducted them?
RMIT University’s Dr Larissa Bamberry is an expert on workplace issues and
gender equality in employment.
Dr Bamberry has conducted extensive research on workplace awards and
agreements.
A Research Fellow at RMIT’s Centre for Applied Social Research, Dr Bamberry is
available for comment on issues related to pay equality and the new parliamentary
committee report.
For interviews: RMIT University’s Dr Larissa Bamberry, 0423 197 253.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Gosia
Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
23 November, 2009
NEWS 
