Women are worth another $111 billion a year

Cutting gender inequality at work could generate another $111 billion a year.

That’s one of the startling pieces of pro-women information to emerge from the Jobs and Skills Summit.

An  ACTU report, Delivering Respect for Women at Work explained that another 893,000 women would be in the workforce if they were able to participate at the same rate as men.

It made 14 recommendations for achieving this, including increased parental leave, better early childcare and education, and increased access to bargaining for many feminised industries like aged care.

ACTU President Michele O’Neil said Australia has the second worst government funded paid parental leave scheme in the developed world.

“In 2022 women shouldn’t have to give up on having a family and men shouldn’t miss out on being involved in raising their kids because paid parental leave is insufficient,” she said.

“Australia can fix the skills shortage if we take action to support women to win well paid and rewarding jobs and careers.

“There may be no greater measure to boost national productivity and economic growth than delivering respect and equity for women at work.”

Cue loud applause from our team and our members!