Supporting International Equal Pay Day – 18 September

Every September, the United Nations celebrates International Equal Pay Day as part of its commitment to ending all forms of discrimination.

According to UN statistics, women are paid less than men in all regions around the world, and the global gender pay gap is estimated at around 20 percent.

ABS statistics tell us that in Australia, the national gender pay gap sits at just over 11%.

The gender pay gap can be understood as the various social and economic factors that can impact a woman’s earning capacity throughout her lifetime.

Likewise, the world economic forum estimates that gender inequality costs the world up to $12 trillion in global GDP losses each year.

Achieving full gender equality and empowering women and children is one of the UN’s sustainable development goals. Equal pay is all about ensuring that every person receives fair value for their work, regardless of their assigned sex or gender identity.

Closing the gender pay gap reflects our society’s commitment to equality and respect.

International Equal Pay Day is also an important reminder of your rights under Australia’s fair working laws.

For example, state, territory and federal anti-discrimination laws make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee, through their terms and conditions of employment, on the grounds of their gender. This includes pay discrimination.

It’s also unlawful, under the Commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009, to discriminate against an employee because of a protected characteristic, such as their sex, sexual orientation, breastfeeding needs, family or carer responsibilities and pregnancy status. Employers also cannot discriminate against employees who are experiencing family and domestic violence.

Australia’s fair work regulator, the Fair Work Commission, can make an “equal remuneration order,” which requires employers to give equal payment to employees who do work of an equal or comparable value.

While legislative measures are important steps towards complete wage parity, workplace attitudes remain a significant barrier towards equal pay.

This International Equal Pay Day, we are reminded of the importance of supportive and respectful workplace cultures. Ensuring that your workplace is inclusive and equitable, where everyone receives equal pay for equal work, allows all employees to thrive.