FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Equal Pay Day Offers Sobering Reminder of the Wage Gap that Still Harms America's Workers & Families

Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, DC — April 28, 2009 — "Equal Pay Day offers a sobering reminder that a stubborn wage gap persists in our country, and it’s undermining family economic security in ways that are especially devastating during this recession.  It is appalling that women are still paid just 78 cents to every dollar earned by men.

It has been more than four decades since Congress outlawed wage discrimination based on gender, and it’s clear we need stronger laws and better enforcement.  Most immediately, America needs lawmakers to ignore the distortions and scare tactics of opponents and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, to advance fair pay and promote the economic security women and families need. This legislation clarifies and strengthens the protections available under the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (“EPA”) and closes gaps that have led to a narrow, constrained reading of the EPA’s protections.
 
It’s time for Congress to stand up for all workers and take the next essential step in the fight for fair pay.”

The National Partnership is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting access to quality health care, fairness in the workplace, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.

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