“Equal Pay For Equal Work Is Fundamental”

September 19, 2021

“Equal pay for equal work is fundamental,” Minister Tinee Furbert said as the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors joined the global observance of the United Nations International Equal Pay Day.

Equal Pay Day Bermuda  Bernews IG square Base Pink Blue

“This day, commemorated on the 18th of September, is dedicated to raising awareness and highlighting the global efforts towards achieving equal pay for work of equal value,” Minister of Social Development and Seniors Tinee Furbert said.

“In November 2019, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing International Equal Pay Day. The focus of this day is in response to the slow progress in women’s economic empowerment, the undervaluing of work traditionally held by women, and the difficulties in tackling pay equality.”

“The UN believes that equal pay is essential to building a world of dignity and justice for all. It is a fundamental value that many communities and countries strive to embrace.”

“UN Women, a UN organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, shared that women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned globally. This wage gap is alarming and even larger for women who have children. UN Women has estimated that it will take 70 years to close this gap.”

Minister Furbert added, “Bermuda’s statistics relating to pay present another story. According to the latest statistics by the Bermuda Government’s Department of Statistics, the Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs 2020:

  • In 2019, Bermudians had the lowest median gross annual income of all the groups with $60,112 compared to non-Bermudians/Spouses of a Bermudian $74,5487 and $73,220 permanent resident certificate holders $65,531.
  • When looking at the race of the job holder, the 2019 gross median income for whites was $84,068 compared to blacks $58,260. This amount represents approximately a 31% difference.
  • In the ages 65+ category, the trend of disparities related to race and Bermudian status remained. However, the gross median income of males at $49,598 was higher than that of females at $43,597.
  • In 2019 the median gross annual income for females was $65,398 compared to $60,231 for males.

The Bermuda 2016 Population and Housing Census Report revealed:

  • The median income for black women was $61,792 and $82,970 for white women.
  • The median income of black women with a Bachelor’s degree is $80,372, while white women with a Bachelor’s degree earn $95,753.

Minister Furbert said, “These disparities paint a picture that is contrary to the spirit of the Human Rights Act 1981, section 6(1)(b) which forbids an employer from paying one employee at a rate of pay that is less than the rate of pay paid to another employee for substantially the same work.”

“This Government wholeheartedly believes and supports that no person should be paid differently because of their gender, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.”

“To all employers in Bermuda, I would like to encourage you and remind you of the importance of making progressive strides to incorporate a sound pay equity framework within your organisation. Equal pay for equal work is fundamental. As we find ourselves striving to move beyond this pandemic and its economic disruption, these disparities are becoming even more crucial to address and resolve.”

Minister Furbert concluded, “Bermuda, the Human Rights Act 1981 and the Human Rights Commission is here to support you. If you have questions or need any more information about this protection, please contact The Human Rights Commission at 295-5859, email: humanrights@gov.bm, or send mail to 32 Victoria St. Hamilton HMCX. ”

“As we celebrate International Equal Pay Day, we should all remember the importance of this day and do what is necessary to move Bermuda beyond pay disparities.”

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Comments (5)

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  1. Ringmaster says:

    Seriously? While Bermuda sinks because so many will not get vaccinated, you come up with this? The hospital is full and can’t take any more patients Covid or non Covid. Until the Government controls this situation, and Minister Wilson has effectively given up, everything else is meaningless. Survival is the name of the game and it is now in the hands of the public, not Government. Look out because the people are restless.

    • Frodo says:

      So you believe drugs can solve the problem of covid? Please keep the comments on topic. Yes there’s a huge problem with the pay as we can see. So I for one am glad that it is being addressed at this level and during these challenging times.

    • Dunn juice says:

      In was thinking the same, why not come up with lower grocery bills, lower insurance, lowering the skyrocketing debt,pre covid too.
      Sounds like they’ve all given up, coming up with sill stuff like this during a pandemic when people are losing Jones.
      Well done voters.

      • Frodo says:

        Lowering the cost of living does not balance the scale it simply makes the rich richer. This is not silly talk this is an important issue that needs to be addressed in spite of covid. The government has to get control over the outbreak most definitely but as a nation we can not stop fighting the good fight for equality just because of covid. If we do that things will only get worse because it’s the lowest paying jobs that are being lost so the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. So thank you for addressing this issue at this critical time for it!

  2. Joe Bloggs says:

    “This Government wholeheartedly believes and supports that no person should be paid differently because of their gender, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.”

    This PLP Government might claim to believe that, but this PLP Government, like every government in Bermuda for the last 40 years (since the Human Rights Act was passed) will not enact legislation to actually correct the pay disparity. Hypocrites!