On Mother’s Day, Governor Dayton signed the Women’s Economic Security Act, setting new standards to close the gender pay gap, strengthen workplace protections and flexibility for pregnant mothers, and expand parental leave time.
In 1963, the United States Congress passed the Equal Pay Act to help eliminate the gender pay gap and in 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the workplace. Yet, here we are in 2014 and pay inequality still exists between men and women. Women, especially women of color, earn significantly less than their white male counterparts. In Minnesota, for every dollar a white male earns, a:
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White woman earns 80 cents
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African American woman earns 62 cents
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Native American woman earns 67 cents
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Asian American woman earns 64 cents
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Hispanic woman earns 57 cents
It was an honor to author the Pay Equity portion of the Women’s Economic Security Act to help provide equal pay for equal work. In order to figure out why those inequalities exist, we need to ask any business that is coming to the state with 50 employees for a $500,000 contract with a pay equity certificate. Other measures to help decrease the gender pay gap include participation of more women in high-wage and high-demand occupations and to require equal treatment of all employees in the workplace regardless of their familial status. Women deserve equal pay for equal work, and this legislation will help to do just that.
In addition to decreasing the gender pay gap, the Women’s Economic Security Act:
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allows mothers to stay in the workforce by expanding family leave and providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees
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addresses negative economic consequences of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault
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enhances retirement security by considering a state retirement savings plan for those without an employer-provided option
This legislation is needed today because women, especially women of color, are not treated as equals in today’s society. The Women’s Economic Security Act passed the legislature with strong bipartisan support. I want to thank Governor Dayton and my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting pay equity for women.
Together, we are stronger!
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative, District 65A