JEFFERSON CITY – Today (4-14), Senate Bill 144, sponsored by State Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, has been voted do pass out of the Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee and will now move to the Senate floor for debate. This legislation would require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish best practice guidelines for gender pay equality.
Coincidently, this measure moves forward in the bill passing process on Equal Pay Day, which entails grassroots organizations who focus their efforts on creating awareness for pay inequality. This year’s Equal Pay Day rally was held by the American Association of University Women in the Capitol today.
“This is an important issue that must be addressed,” said Sen. LeVota. “It is a matter of fairness. I want to ensure that not only my daughters, but all of our daughters, mothers, sisters and so forth are provided every opportunity to receive fair and equal pay.”
Studies provided from the Women's Foundation and the University of Missouri-Truman School of Public Affairs show that while women make up 51 percent of Missouri’s population and 48 percent of the work force, they will still earn 29 percent less than a man performing the same job.
“We live in a modern time where there is no reason for pay inequality,” continued LeVota. “It is imperative that we work together to create an environment where all employees receive equal pay for equal work, regardless of their gender.”
The guidelines set forth would pertain to state and local governments and public businesses. The guidelines would define and recommend steps to address: what is gender pay equality; why gender pay inequality happens; the benefits of gender pay equality; and how to achieve gender pay equality. These a merely suggestions, and although generic, they are a positive step in closing the significant wage gap, while allowing Missourians the opportunity to work in a fair work environment. |
