Gender pay gap remains
TOWNSVILLE’S female managers, community support staff and clerical staff are likely to be working alongside men being paid tens of thousands more than them.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the 2015- 16 median wage for female tradies and technicians in Townsville was $ 27,000 less than for 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 a new 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 due to men’s wages dropping after the mining boom.
Women working in community and personal services in Townsville got paid an average of $ 35,372, about $ 34,000 less than men in the same industry. Female clerical and administration staff were paid about $ 16,000 less than their male counterparts.
Across all sectors the me- dian wage gender gap was $ 21,516 – down from a peak of $ 24,032 in 2012- 13.
The recent report from Economic Security 4 Women found the mining boom’s end had reduced the wage gap because men’s wages had fallen.
“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,” report author Stephen Koukoulas said.
WGEA director Libby Lyons said the pay gap was the lowest it had been in 20 years, but more work was needed.
“The gender pay gap is a symptom of a broader issue,” she said. “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 female- dominated occupations and industries attract lower pay than male- dominat- ed ones. 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 work part time or casually, often after having children.
The University of Southern Queensland 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- dominated industries.