The Price for Fair Pay
By Samantha Mc Lane
Equal Pay Day is a movement that aims for the benefit of all working women in the United States without exception. However, as incredible as it is that gender inequity still persists in this century, inequity and differences remain between races, national origin and legal status. The statistics say it: Latinas earn 52 cents for every dollar paid to white men and even less than Latin men, falling in the most underpaid group.
Why? Besides living under cultural stereotypes, people underestimating our capabilities and intelligence, difficulties in accessing benefits programs for ourselves and our family, and fear of deportation in case of illegal immigrant women. Even if we are lucky enough to get a job, why should we be receiving less salary than anybody else?
We Latinas are at the bottom of the ladder but there is the possibility to go up. We can begin by taking interest because our work, time, personal and professional projects and our lives are worthwhile. If we don´t care, no one else will.
It is a fact that to achieve the goal not only is it necessary to deconstruct cultural and systemic ideologies about women’s condition, social institutions, to question authority and the use of power, but also to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities in the legal field to strengthen equal pay laws including the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Equal Pay Act. It is an excellent opportunity to use the regulations that this country provides, thanks to the efforts of many women that have fought before, and to keep reminding and raising social awareness of this situation.
We have a voice, let´s use it to be recognized. Get informed about the actions to be done, get in contact with other women, people and groups interested in the subject, be active and demand equal payment because we have the right.
Latest posts by Samantha Mc Lane
- The Price for Fair Pay - April 29th, 2008
Posted on April 29th, 2008 by Samantha Mc Lane
Filed under: Opinion, Race Discrimination, Commentary, Politics, All Posts
Hola Samantha.
Considero que a nivel mundial, la mujer siempre ha sacrificado su sueldo, o en ocasiones otro tipo de cosas, por el simple hecho de demostrar que puede hacer un trabajo excepcional. En otras ocasiones, son sus necesidades prioritarias, las que le hacen sacrificar una paga justa o recnocimiento; en fin, yo creo que de cualquier modo, la transformación del entorno nos da la posibilidad de ir cambiando esta situación, poco a poco, y a las mujeres que tenemos oportunidades mas justas, nos toca darle la mano a aquellas que estan en la busqueda de algo mejor.
Saludos,
Alma Preciado
I am glad to read your strong and wise opinion. You have very solid points on your article. It is not a new story when a woman has to leave her job or is fired because of pregnancy. The story is even worse for Latinas. I believe that our laws have to be adapted to women’s biological circumstances, in other to guarantee their jobs, health care benefits and economical aid. Indeed, the Latinas constitute an amazing work force for the US. It is time to hear and recognize their voice.
Best Regards,
Carlos A. Torres ,
MIM Program Southern Oregon University
Attorney at Law, Universidad de Guanajuato, MEX
Although I am not really qualified to comment on the plight of the Latin American worker, and less so Latin American women; being anglo, male and Australian, I do agree that the only way to redress the imbalance in pay and conditions for Latin American women is to organise and work together in this ongoing struggle.
Even a cursory examination of the history of the labour movements worldwide will show that forming unions to fight for better treatment is the only way to make gains.
Australian women won the right to vote and the right to equal pay through organisation and political groundwork, and it is my belief that the only way any oppressed people in the world can achieve equality is by demanding it.
You have the right; to be sure. But having the right is not enough: you need the will to make it happen.
It is a new fact to me that Latin American women are in the lowest wage range in the U.S. I think that education about rights and obligations of employers and employees is lacking within the Latin community and this adds to the burden of illegal immigrant workers who are afraid to seek advice on their situation. How active is the community informing people wit their rights, organizing people to move forward in this areas? Motivation and commitment to this cause is what is required, it is easy to complain about a situation, but is far more difficult to reach the resolution.
Hey! I agree, I believe it is time for us latinas to gather our ideas and to begin to care for ourselves. I am a college student and soon will be in the real world and I feel good you can find people who cares.
Revolucionaria: Thanks for your support, and there are many things to do to be active. if you are more interested in the subject I suggest you to visit the Natonal Women’s Law Center web site where you can find more information about women and employment issues.
www.nwlc.org
Also I invite you to stay in touch with us, we update this virtual space with news and information that I am sure are of your interest.