WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) — President Barack Obama outlined several actions his administration is taking to further close the gender pay gap plaguing the U.S. workforce.
Speaking Friday at an event commemorating seven years since he signed his first bill in office, 2009’s Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Obama reasserted his vow to continue working on methods to further empower women in the work force.
“All of us have to make sure that all our young girls know that we’re invested in their success,” Obama said.
“While the gap has narrowed slightly over the past two years, there is much more work to be done to ensure fair pay for all,” the statement said.
The administration’s plan includes a rule in partnership with The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requiring businesses with more than 100 employees to report salary data organized by gender, race and ethnicity on an annual basis.
The proposal, if passed, will cover 63 million employees.
“It expands on and replaces an earlier plan by the Department of Labor to collect similar information from federal contractors,” the White House said Friday.
Also included in the President’s plan of action is the Paycheck Fairness Act, which he urged Congress to pass, and the hosting of a summit titled “The United State of Women,” on May 23 to mark the progress women and girls have made since the Obama administration took office.
The U.S. Council of Economic Advisers will also release an issue brief titled “Gender Pay Gap on the Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” further exploring the administration’s efforts working for equity in the workplace and its current state.
Friday marks the seventh anniversary of Obama’s implementation of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps women challenge unequal pay. The act was the president’s first piece of legislation signed in office.
