A new survey suggests most New Brunswickers want to see pay equity legislation for the private sector.
The Corporate Research Associates poll finds 85 per cent think it is important for the government to pass this type of legislation.
It was commissioned by the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity and was done between August 15 and 30.
Johanne Perron, executive director of the coalition, told our newsroom she has seen support grow over the last 15 years, when people often confused pay equity with pay parity.
“It’s about jobs that are different, but if they have the same value, the pay should be the same,” Perron said. “It’s to get over the fact that jobs that are mostly done by women are often undervalued and underpaid.”
Thirteen per cent of respondents said they do not think it is important for the government to pass pay equity legislation.
“I think that sometimes people are a little bit on the defensive and feel that we are saying that jobs that are mostly done by men are paid too much, which is not the case at all,” Perron said.
About 65 per cent of those who responded said they believe jobs predominantly held by women are paid less than jobs of comparable value mainly held by men.
The Green party, Liberals and NDP have all included commitments to adopt pay equity legislation — something Perron hopes the other parties will also do.
“But whatever the results of the election, we will be continuing our advocacy work with the government,” she said.
(File photo)
