Governor Gretchen Whitmer is calling attention to the issue of equal pay for women by declaring April 2nd as Equal Pay Day in Michigan.
Whitmer says the gender pay gap hurts women in the state. “Equal pay is not only a women’s issue. This is an economic issue that is hurting hardworking families in our state,” said Whitmer. “When we ensure all women in Michigan can earn the same amount as their male counterparts for doing the same job, we can help hardworking families get ahead, grow our economy, and attract the business and talent we need to compete.”
Whitmer says her Executive Directive 2019-10 ensures women do not get penalized for past discrimination, at least in state government, but she says there is more than needs to be done.
According to the National Partnership for Women & Families, women in Michigan’s workforce make 78 cents for every dollar that men make for doing the same job. African American women make 63 cents for every dollar, Latinas make 54 cents and Asian women make 87 cents.
To view the full proclamation click the link below: