Organisations refuse to comply with equal opportunity law

A list of organisations that are non-compliant with the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (EOWW Act) was tabled in Parliament yesterday. According to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA), the 12 organisations on the list refused to submit an annual compliance report which enables the agency to assess the conditions and provisions for women within their workplace.

Acting Director of EOWA Mairi Steele said “These reports are required by legislation. They provide the Agency with information and an understanding of the organisation’s policies and programs to further equal opportunities for women. On the basis of that information the Agency can provide tailored advice, free of charge, to support and improve their equal opportunity programs. No organisation is perfect and unfortunately those on the list have chosen to flout the law rather than work with us to ensure their organisations are good places for women to work.”

Ten of the non-compliant organisations have been on the list for four or more consecutive years. Current sanctions for non-compliance render organisations ineligible for Government contracts and certain industry assistance programs. However, earlier this year, a review of EOWA and its underlying legislation was announced by Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Status of Women, which may result in tougher sanctions on organisations that refused to comply with the EOWW Act.

In it’s submission the EOWA recommended tougher sanctions be applied to ensure staff and the public are made aware of an organisation’s non-compliance.

2009 Non-Compliant List

A J Mills & Sons Pty Ltd
Berri Resort Hotel Incorporated
Charles Hull Contracting Co Pty Ltd
Fashion Fair Pty Ltd
J J Richards & Sons Pty Ltd (incorporating J.J. Richards Pty Ltd; J.J.R. Engineering Pty Ltd; Regwaste Australia; EnviroCom Australia)
Morgan’s Supa IGA (trading name; legal name is Janagrom Nominees Pty Ltd) in Melton, VIC
Nowshire Pty Ltd in Brisbane, QLD
Rivers Australia
Ross Cosmetics Aust Pty Ltd
Roverworth Pty Ltd
Thomas Jewellers (Aust) Pty Ltd
Tyrrell’s Vineyards Pty Ltd

EOWA made a number of other recommendations to address the fact that progress for women has stalled and women at all levels still don’t have the same opportunities as their male co-workers. The recommendations include setting gender equity targets and a requirement on business to show progress against these measures each year.

While most organisations that submit reports are compliant with the Act, the majority are marginally or moderately compliant which means businesses have a long way to go. EOWA is recommending that industry-based gender equality standards are developed to help business progress from low or mediocre standards to better or best practice.

“Progress for women in Australian workplaces is at a standstill. Agency staff members are looking forward to the outcomes of the EOWA review and to the Government’s consideration of the Pay Equity Inquiry recommendations. We want to see more holistic and effective ways to improve the lives of working women,” Ms Steele said.

For more information visit the EOWA website at: http://www.eowa.gov.au

Source: EOWA