Executive Council
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
March 8, 2017

Supporting Women and Gender Equality

Provincial Government Supports Private Member�s Motion on Pay Equity

On International Women�s Day, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports the Private Member�s Motion that draws attention and awareness to pay equity and will start the process to explore potential ways to achieve pay equity in Newfoundland and Labrador.

�International Women�s Day is a time to celebrate women�s achievements both individually and collectively and reflect on the challenges we continue to face in trying to achieve gender equality. There couldn�t be a more appropriate day for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to support this Private Member�s Motion on pay equity. As Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, I am committed to helping advance the economic status of women and look forward to continuing to discuss this important issue.�
- The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Pay equity is a compensation practice that is based primarily on the relative value of the work performed, irrespective of the gender of employees. It includes a requirement that the employer not establish or maintain a difference between the amount paid to female and male employees who are performing work of equal or comparable value. It involves measuring or quantifying the components of a job so that it can be compared with another. Looking at factors like skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions helps understand and compare male and female-dominated professions.

�With any new policy or legislation there is a significant undertaking involved with complex processes and factors that need to be considered. It is important that we determine the most effective way the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador can help achieve results. A significant amount of research, analysis, and consultations will be required to do this. We look forward to exploring options that identify specific, feasible and measurable steps that can be taken to help achieve pay equity.�
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

For more information about the work being done to advance the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/wpo/.

QUICK FACTS

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports the Private Member�s Motion that draws attention and awareness to pay equity and will start the process to explore potential ways to achieve pay equity in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Any new policy or legislation is a significant undertaking with complex processes and factors that need to be considered.
• March 8 is International Women�s Day, with this year�s national theme being Equality Matters. This is a day to recognize wo achievements and acknowledge the challenges they continue to face in trying to achieve gender equality.
• For more information about the work being done to advance the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/wpo/.

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Media contacts:

Lisa Lawlor Media Relations Manager Women�s Policy Office 709-729-4839, 730-1568 lisalawlor@gov.nl.ca

Ryan Crocker Media Relations Manager Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-1795, 725-9595 RyanCrocker@gov.nl.ca

2017 08 03                             5:05 p.m.