Published: 8 Mar 2012
The Maritime Union of Australia has today pledged support for International Women's Day.
International Women's Day is celebrated across the world on March 8th each year.
The day is about acknowledging the vital role women play in enhancing economic security for their families, communities and countries as a whole while recognising that significant barriers to achieving women's economic security and equality continue to exist.
With just five per cent of the MUA's members currently being women, MUA Women's Liaison Officer Mich-Elle Myers said today was a timely reminder of the benefits of working in a regulated industry with unionised rates of pay.
"We need more women in the industry and we need to find new ways to encourage more women to work in what has traditionally been a male-dominated environment," Myers said.
A report just released from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) reveals that worldwide, women are paid 18 per cent less on average than their male counterparts at work.
The report found that more unionised sectors tend to have lower pay gaps.
Those with low unionisation rates and low wage levels, such as retail, hotels and restaurants tend to have higher gaps.
Part of the problem is that many workers are not paid a decent minimum wage.
"The lower rate of pay in un-unionised work sectors shows just how important trade unions can be not just for women, but everyone in gaining a decent standard of pay," Myers said.
"We must identify and deal with the economic hurdles that continue to hold back women.
"The MUA will continue to work with our affiliates in order to narrow the wage gap."
The MUA is also proud to be affiliated with the White Ribbon campaign, which urges men to pledge to stop violence against women.
