.jpg)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
April 8, 2014 Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Coinciding with National Equal Pay Day, President Obama, earlier today, signed two executive orders aimed at closing the wage gaps for women and minorities who work for federal contractors. The President signed an executive order barring federal contractors from retaliating against employees who discuss or inquire about their salaries. He also directed the Department of Labor to establish new guidelines requiring federal contractors to collect and submit data on worker compensation, including data about sex and race.
“NCLR (National Council of La Raza) applauds the President for continuing his push to end discrimination in the workplace and ensure that all workers are fairly compensated,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía. “Today’s announcement is a welcomed step for women and minorities, but especially Latinas, who are paid the lowest wages of any race or ethnic group. In fact, Latinas are paid just 54 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic males.”
“While this is an important victory, these actions are ultimately limited in scope and will only reach workers employed by federal contractors,” added Murguía. “In order to effectively begin to close the wage gaps for women and minorities that persist in the country, Congress must act by passing legislation that will require all employers to better comply with equal pay laws.”
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
###