Unions Call for Action on (un)Equal Pay Day as SA Gender Pay Gap Worsens

KEY POINTS

• Today is (un)Equal pay day, marking the 50 extra days women would need to work each year to earn as much as men do on average.
• According to ABS data released last week, women in South Australia on average, earn $167 less than men.
• Last year’s report from the SA Government’s Gender Pay Gap Taskforce showed that SA’s gender pay gap has increased from 7% in 2022, to 9.8% in 2024, and has now ticked past 10.1%.
• To date, the Taskforce’s recommendations remain under consideration by the government.

On (un)Equal Pay Day, SA Unions are calling for immediate action from employers and government to close the gender wage gap, which has worsened in South Australian during the term of this government. (un)Equal Pay Day marks the 50 extra days that women in Australia would need to work to a year to earn the same as the average for men.

SA Unions Secretary Dale Beasley, said this pay disparity is a serious issue that impacts working women across all sectors.

“The South Australian Government must urgently implement measures to turn this disastrous situation around.”

“The gender wage gap isn’t just about a few cents here and there; it’s a systemic problem that devalues women in this country, leaving them at a significant financial disadvantage,” Beasley said. “On average, women in Australia would have to work an additional 50 days to earn what men on average take home in a year. That’s an appalling statistic, one that has sadly gotten worse in South Australia.”

Mr Beasley acknowledged the importance of breaking down barriers to women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated, higher-paid industries. However, he stressed that this is only one part of the solution.

“We need to move beyond just funneling women into male-dominated industries and calling it a day. The core issue is that the work women are already doing in critical sectors, like health, education, and care is appallingly undervalued. This work is the backbone of our society and economy, and yet it’s too often seen as an extension of unpaid domestic labour, and the pay reflects that outdated mindset.”

SA Unions is urging the South Australian government to intervene to better value this critical work through pay increases and improvements to job security. As a major employer, the government has a crucial role to play in leading by example.

“The government must urgently implement the recommendations of the Gender Pay Gap Taskforce, and use their position of influence to lead change in this state.”

“Every major gender equality win has been won by unions. From workplace flexibility to paid parental leave, we know that when working people stand together, we can achieve real change.”

“The most effective way to close the gender wage gap is by joining and being active in your union to fight for a fairer, more equitable future for all South Australian workers.”

​