Review of equal what?

Posted by Jenni Colwill on 12 June 2009 | 1 Comments

Tags: EOWA review, women

The government announced a review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act recently, and I think I might propose that the Act be renamed the Hollow, Empty Act Promising Equality for Every Woman at Work (HEAP of EEWW).

I am suggesting this fundamental change for three reasons. Firstly, this name better reflects reality. Secondly, it gives us an acronym we can both understand and pronounce. And thirdly, unless the government decides to give the Act some substance, a hollow promise is all it offers.

Although legislation to promote equal opportunities for working women has been in place since 1986, Australia has not made much progress. In fact, we have gone backwards.

Forget about how many women there are in senior positions, how many organisations provide paid maternity leave etc. etc. Just look at the money.

In February 2009, fulltime adult ordinary time earnings for women were $1046.90, and for men $1,264.50.

That is, this year, the Bureau of Statistics recorded a gap of 17.2% between men and women's earnings.

The last inquiry into this legislation was conducted in 1998. In August 1999, women were earning $675.90 vs $798.60 for men.

In 1999, the gap between men and women's earnings was 15.4%.

See what I mean about going backwards.