Women workers cop a
Little change in gender gap
CAIRNS women working as tradies, community support staff, managers and professionals are likely to be working alongside men being paid tens of thousands more than them.
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the 2015-16 median wage for female tradies in Cairns was $20,231 less than their male colleagues.
In the lead-up to Equal Pay Day on Friday, the federal Workplace Gender Equality Agency said the pay gap was at its lowest point in two decades.
But an independent report has found a small decrease in the pay gap over the past 20 years is not because of women’s pay increasing but men’s wages dropping after the mining boom.
The average pay for women working in community and personal services in Cairns was $32,478 – about $17,000 less than men in the same industry.
Female managers and professionals were paid about $13,000 less than their male counterparts.
Across all sectors the median wage gap between men and women was $13,027, down from a peak of $14,660 in 2012-13.
A recent report from Economic Security 4 Women found the mining boom’s end had reduced the wage gap, but because men’s wages had fallen – not because women’s wages had grown.
“In other words, the graph has narrowed marginally because of a relative cyclical decline in wages in male-dominated industries rather than a material improvement in female wage conditions,” said report author Steven Koukoulas.
“The evidence for Australia confirms that women are persistently and overwhelmingly less economically secure than men.
“In terms of pay, women still lag behind men in full-time equivalent wage levels by a significant amount.
“There has been little net change in the gender pay gap over the past 20 years.”
WGEA director Libby Lyons said the pay gap was the lowest it had been in 20 years, but more work needed to be done.
“The gender pay gap is a symptom of a broader issue. It reflects the fact that women’s work is traditionally undervalued and women are often paid less than men.
Average full-time salaries are lower for women than men in every occupation and industry in Australia.
Women are under-represented in senior executive and management roles and femaledominated occupations and industries attract lower pay than male-dominated ones,” she said.
“We need to continue to break down the barriers that contribute to the gender pay gap.”
Regional community development expert Jim Cavaye said women were more likely to work part-time or casually, often after having children.
The University of Southern Queensland regional development professor said a cultural shift was needed to encourage more men to take extended parental leave and government programs to encourage more women to work in traditionally male industries. – *Limited to one redemption per eligible member per week. Offer open 9.00am on 6 August, 2018 and ends 11.59pm on 4 November, 2018 or until stocks last. New discount codes available every Monday during the offer period. Australian residents only. Minimum spend of $100 per single transaction. The minimum spend amount excludes any vouchers or offers, Woolworths Flowers, delivery charges and Delivery Saver items, tobacco/smoking products, gift cards, egift cards, Woolworths Mobile, mobile phones and mobile recharge products, travel cards and tickets. Bag fees and crate service fees apply for Pickup and Delivery orders. Delivery to Australian residential addresses only. Discount not redeemable for cash and not transferable. Discount code valid for orders placed between 6 August, 2018 and 11:59 AEDT 25 November, 2018. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Discount code is valid for a single use only during the promotion period. Orders may be cancelled by Woolworths without notice to you if the above terms and conditions are not adhered to. Check online for available Pick up times and order cut off dates. See www.woolworths.com.au for full terms and conditions applicable to shopping at Woolworths Online.