Wages in certain industries have been historically undervalued based on gender, according to a landmark Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision.
Using laws introduced by the Albanese government in 2022, the FWC will seek to lift minimum rates of pay for a wide range of occupations including early childhood education and care workers, pharmacists, dental assistants and pathology collectors.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said an estimated 175,000 workers covered by the relevant Awards would receive phased pay rises of up to 35 per cent if the changes are implemented.
A further 335,000 workers would benefit indirectly as their collective agreements are underpinned by the Awards.
New laws delivering results
The 2022 changes to the Fair Work Act made gender equality an objective of the Act and empowered the FWC to order wage increases for workers in industries where wages had been undervalued due to gender bias.
Prior to these changes, there had only been one successful case under the old equal pay laws in thirty years.
