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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 16, 2002 Baca calls for closing the pay gap between women and men
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) called on Congress to pass equal pay legislation to help alleviate the adverse impacts of unequal pay on individuals and families, especially among minorities. Today is Equal Pay Day, which is meant to promote closing the pay gap between men and women. For the same job, American women are only paid 73 cents for every dollar men are paid, according to the United States Census Bureau. The wage disparity costs the average American woman approximately $250,000 over a working lifetime despite almost 40 years of equal pay law on the books. "When women go to work, they should be able to expect the same pay as men for performing the same duties as men in the workplace," Baca said. "But equal pay for equal work is a goal that we still haven't fully realized in America." "What about the single mother who is supporting her family by herself?" Baca asked. "Should her children suffer because employers don't pay her as much as the man who does the same job?" The disparity in pay is greater for minority women, and most of all for Hispanic women. According to the Bureau, Hispanic women who work full time only earn 54 cents for every dollar men earn. This adds up to about $510,000 over the course of a 30-year career. Hispanic women who have earned a high school diploma earn an average of 33 percent less than white men with the same level of education. African American women earn only 67 cents to every dollar men earn in the same position, and 36 percent less per week than white men. "Latinas work just as hard as everyone else to support their families, yet earn only half the wages that men earn," said Baca. "The wage gap makes it more difficult for women and families to pay for essential items like food, doctor visits, school supplies and clothes." "Unequal pay simply leaves women, especially Hispanic and African American women, behind. We need to provide women with more effective remedies against employers who do not pay men and women equally for equal work." The Paycheck Fairness Act would improve wages for working women and their families by:
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