To mark International Women’s Day, the NDP Caucus is looking for support from other members of the House of Assembly for a Private Member’s Motion that would move the province closer to a financially equitable society.
Critic for the Status of Women Gerry Rogers (MHA, St. John’s Centre) will introduce the motion today after Question Period in the House of Assembly; this will be at approximately 2:45 p.m. St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi MHA Lorraine Michael will second the motion.
The motion reads, “Be it resolved that the House of Assembly urge Government to start the process to enact pay equity legislation in the province.” A copy of the full motion is attached.
Pay equity means equal pay for work of equal value, a different concept from equal pay for equal work. It is a process that corrects discrimination in compensation practices to adjust the wages of employees in traditionally female jobs so that they are at least equal to the wages of employees in traditionally male-dominated job classes when they are found to be comparable in value based on skills/education needed, effort required, responsibility, and working conditions.
NDP Private Member’s Motion
For debate March 6, 2017
Member from St. John’s Centre to move:
Whereas the federal government has introduced pay equity legislation in the public sector; Whereas pay equity has been proven to not be universally achieved by collective bargaining alone; Whereas lack of pay equity disproportionately affects women, and women in Newfoundland and Labrador earn on average 66% of the wages of their male counterparts; Whereas Government needs to give leadership on this issue of fairness to women.
Be it resolved that the House of Assembly urge Government to start the process to enact pay equity legislation in the province. Seconded by the Member for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi.