UnionsWA has commented on the release today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics of new data that shows the difference in ordinary full time pay for women and men in Western Australia. As evidence mounts on the need for greater pay increases for all working people, this data highlights the urgent need for pay rises across those jobs mostly filled by women.

Meredith Hammat, Secretary UnionsWA said:

“The gender pay gap in WA remains the worst in Australia.

“On average the current ordinary pay for women in WA is $421.80 per week less than men.

“The gender pay gap has only closed by a minuscule 30 cents per week compared to a year ago in WA.

“Slow and low growth in wages for all working people is most harmful for women because women are more likely to be in jobs that are paid poorly.

“Women are more likely than men to have unpaid care responsibilities with many in only part time work or leave paid work entirely for extended periods.

“And because women most often work part-time or spend time out of the workforce because of caring responsibilities, it means they are likely to have fewer opportunities for promotion and career advancement.

"This means women will be financially insecure, both during their working life and in retirement.

"The lack of access to flexible working hours plays a large part in the continuing gender pay gap and discrimination.

“Women, particularly women in WA, need a pay rise.

"Women already represent the majority of low paid, award-dependent working people with less bargaining power in the workplace.

“These figures make it crystal clear that we need to change our workplace rules if we want women’s work to be fairly paid.”

Further information

Data drawn from ‘6302.0 Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, May 2018’ (Australian Bureau of Statistics) with original ordinary hours figures used in all cases here. See data table 13E (WA) available online here.