AUSTRALIAN resource employers are making headway in improving workforce gender equality across a range of national indicators including remuneration and return-to-work bonuses for mothers, according to new federal government data.
A Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) analysis of 12,229 Australian employers released today shows the gender pay gap in mining is a low 17.6%, compared to the average 24% across all industries.
Similarly, 34.3% of mining employers have conducted a pay gap analysis compared to the all industries average of 19.1%, and 17% offer return-to-work bonuses for new mothers compared to the 9.7% for all Australian employers.
Tara Diamond, spokesperson for the resource industry’s national gender diversity initiative, the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), says the data is promising for Australia’s mining, oil and gas employers.
“These findings are encouraging for the resource industry as we continue to address our male-dominated culture and ensure our workforces more accurately reflect the demographics of the broader Australian community,” Ms Diamond says.
“As a high paying industry, it is particularly valuable for miners to focus on remuneration equality and return-to-work incentives. This will see the industry have a positive impact on average incomes and wealth distribution as we build on the number of women employed in mining.”
Despite the data’s positive results, the WGEA report also confirms there is much to be done if AWRA is to achieve its goal of women representing 25% of the resource industry workforce by 2020.
“Women currently represent just 16% of the mining workforce, with the majority (77.4%) holding administrative or clerical positions. This shows the industry must strengthen its focus on attracting, developing and retaining more women in non-traditional trades and technical roles at the ‘coal face’,” Ms Diamond says.
“With women holding just 2.6% of CEO roles and 12.3% of key management positions, it is critical that resource employers improve their internal policies, practices and cultures to better support women in leadership.”
AWRA has a range of toolkits and programs to assist resource employers, including assessment and benchmarking program, AWRA Recognised, and the AWRA e-Mentoring Program, which matches women with experienced mentors through a unique online portal.
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The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA) is a national workforce gender diversity initiative assisting resource industry employers. It is facilitated by peak resource industry employer group AREEA (Australian Mines and Metals Association).
