[Canada] Manitoba’s female workforce works an extra 3 months to reach pay parity

March 19 was Equal Pay Day in Manitoba, Canada, and advocates have highlighted how much extra time women must work to reach pay parity with men, CTV News reports.

According to the Manitoba Equal Pay Day Coalition, Manitoba women have to work an average of 444 days to earn as much as men do in 365 days.

Molly McCracken - the coalition’s spokesperson - said this means women continue to fall behind men in the workplace and serves as a factor in the province’s child poverty rates.

“Manitoba used to be a leader in pay equity back in the 80s, but we’ve fallen way behind,” she said.

The coalition reportedly stated that a government strategy to eliminate the gender pay gap should include pay equity and transparency legislation; pay fairness for female-dominated jobs; strategies to expand women’s participation in non-traditional jobs; and completing Manitoba’s commitment to 23,000 affordable new childcare spaces. 

In addition, it added that the strategy should involve raising the minimum wage, ending workplace harassment; and improving health and public services.

“Women are done waiting for economic equality,” Ms McCracken said.

“Pay discrimination is a violation of women’s human rights, and we need the Manitoba and federal governments to implement a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the gender pay gap.”

Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino said in a statement that the Manitoba government is working to make progress on pay equity for women.

“Since forming government, we’ve acted through legislation to protect Manitoba workers and improve wages,” she said. “We’re also expanding access to affordable childcare and education and training opportunities to reduce economic barriers for women. Our government is committed to improving pay equity for women in Manitoba and we will continue this work.”

Source: CTV News

(Quotes via original reporting)

March 19 was Equal Pay Day in Manitoba, Canada, and advocates have highlighted how much extra time women must work to reach pay parity with men, CTV News reports.

According to the Manitoba Equal Pay Day Coalition, Manitoba women have to work an average of 444 days to earn as much as men do in 365 days.

Molly McCracken - the coalition’s spokesperson - said this means women continue to fall behind men in the workplace and serves as a factor in the province’s child poverty rates.

“Manitoba used to be a leader in pay equity back in the 80s, but we’ve fallen way behind,” she said.

The coalition reportedly stated that a government strategy to eliminate the gender pay gap should include pay equity and transparency legislation; pay fairness for female-dominated jobs; strategies to expand women’s participation in non-traditional jobs; and completing Manitoba’s commitment to 23,000 affordable new childcare spaces. 

In addition, it added that the strategy should involve raising the minimum wage, ending workplace harassment; and improving health and public services.

“Women are done waiting for economic equality,” Ms McCracken said.

“Pay discrimination is a violation of women’s human rights, and we need the Manitoba and federal governments to implement a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the gender pay gap.”

Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino said in a statement that the Manitoba government is working to make progress on pay equity for women.

“Since forming government, we’ve acted through legislation to protect Manitoba workers and improve wages,” she said. “We’re also expanding access to affordable childcare and education and training opportunities to reduce economic barriers for women. Our government is committed to improving pay equity for women in Manitoba and we will continue this work.”

Source: CTV News

(Quotes via original reporting)