I am astounded how often I come across the idea that women in Australia (or perhaps I should say in Sydney) are merely earning to add some extra pocket money to their husband's huge wages. It is not uncommon for someone to say to me when I suggest that a particular position does not have the salary that I would expect on offer "but you're not exactly running out of money are you"? Now I fail to see how running out of money would be the reason for earning fairly. My understanding is that people should be paid fairly for the work they put in and the hours they put in.
In Australia women consistently earn less than men. A quick google search will show a good deal of evidence to back this. My belief is that women I have met in Australia are frequently prepared to offer volunteer services, pro bono work, and a variety of work-for-no pay. Voluneerism is good, and should be encouraged, as should pro bono work. But that has to be in addition to paid work. Why should women offer services free when similar services are not routinely offered by men free.
Granted, my impressions could be to do with working in the non-profit and service sector, where is seems that this idea is most prevalent. But experience in other countries is that the Third Sector is well thought of and remunerated relatively well.
I have heard, not infrequently, people saying: "but people don't do that kind of work for the money - you do it for the love of it" ?!? What's that about? Surely enjoying your work is not in place of being fairly remunerated. Take that argument a bit further and we'd have to believe that people should EITHER love their work OR be paid for it.
Balderdash.
Progress has been made in this regard - the gap is apparently getting smaller (in one article it said by 0.3% in 2007) but I think that this needs to be on the agenda of all HR decisions, and women should not be frightened to ask for their worth in remuneration. Go for it!
Showing posts with label South Africa Australia Diaspora Michael Fullilove Lowy Institute Homeland Home Country World Wide Web. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa Australia Diaspora Michael Fullilove Lowy Institute Homeland Home Country World Wide Web. Show all posts
Friday, 17 October 2008
Monday, 21 April 2008
Height Tax
Today I paid Height Tax.
Every time I buy a pair of pants I have to add $10 to the cost. I was not blessed with height, so I have to scoot down to the patient Chinese tailor on my route home from Ashfield station. I try on each pair, and he kneels next to my big feet squashed into the slip-on shoes kindly left out (one with high heels, one with low heels) for measurement. They are not intended for Caucasion feet, and I feel somewhat silly balanced on a size 5 shoe with this man at my feet. He deftly pins one leg with just one pin, and the next day the pants are magically ready. But I do resent Height tax each time I pay it!
Every time I buy a pair of pants I have to add $10 to the cost. I was not blessed with height, so I have to scoot down to the patient Chinese tailor on my route home from Ashfield station. I try on each pair, and he kneels next to my big feet squashed into the slip-on shoes kindly left out (one with high heels, one with low heels) for measurement. They are not intended for Caucasion feet, and I feel somewhat silly balanced on a size 5 shoe with this man at my feet. He deftly pins one leg with just one pin, and the next day the pants are magically ready. But I do resent Height tax each time I pay it!
Monday, 18 February 2008
World Wide Web - the impact of Diasporas (a la Michael Fullilove)
Today I was privileged to be at the launch of the paper-turned-book of Dr Michael Fullilove, the director of the global issues programme at the Lowy Institute for International Policy here in Sydney. As a new emmigrant his book "World Wide Webs: The Diaspora and International Systems" covered issues close to my heart while providing a fresh new take and some excellent mind-food. For those who don't know, the Lowy Institute's has long been known to be a major think-tank of international policy in Australia.
Today's event was particular pertinent to my journey as I start to figure out where I fit and why, and what impact my history has had on my present and future. Small and personal as these debates sometimes are, Dr Fullilove was able to assist in opening my mind to the wider discussion about the impact of emigration and immigration, governments and policy, local and national pride and allegiances.
In his book Dr Fullilove notes that a diaspora is derived from the Greek word "diaspeirein" meaning to sow or scatter. He says it was used to describe Jews living outside of Israel, but has come to be used much more broadly and has now come to be used to describe transnational communities.
It was only recently that I returned from South Africa, at once inspired by the energy and dynamism of individuals, groups and extraordinary projects there and horrified by some of the stories I was hearing. After some 20 years in the non-governmental community, as an activist and advocate there, I came back to Sydney with a dual heart: at once elated and heavy.
My question was how to relate back to this world and offer something of service. Had I deserted by moving in with the love of my life in the comfortable and safe city of Sydney? Was I a deserter to this new land if I wanted to do work and offer support back to South Africa? Where is my allegiance? Who do I owe what to, if anything?
Of course this is all the more poignant at a time of my application for permanent residency in Australia and a time of increased horror stories back home. Following my brother's political cartoons keeps me in touch with South African issues, remaining involved with projects in South Africa makes me believe that I have something to offer, but the niggling question is always "is this enough?"
The lecture this morning at the Lowy Institute shed new light on the topic. It opened this personal debate to the wider political debate. It emphasised the importance of remittances (money sent back by peoples rather than governments, a particular interest of mine). It highlighted the importance of the "thickening and strengthening" of what Dr Fullilove calls the World Wide Web (a description he believes better describes those living away from their original communities - in his days of international studies the Billiard Board analogy was more often used, but he argues that various nations cannot be impenetrable Billiard Balls rolling around unaffected by the countries they brush up against or have contact with). His paper covering the impact of Diasporas on Homelands and Home Countries is at once fascinating and challenging.
You can find it yourself at http://www.lowyinstitute.org/
Today's event was particular pertinent to my journey as I start to figure out where I fit and why, and what impact my history has had on my present and future. Small and personal as these debates sometimes are, Dr Fullilove was able to assist in opening my mind to the wider discussion about the impact of emigration and immigration, governments and policy, local and national pride and allegiances.
In his book Dr Fullilove notes that a diaspora is derived from the Greek word "diaspeirein" meaning to sow or scatter. He says it was used to describe Jews living outside of Israel, but has come to be used much more broadly and has now come to be used to describe transnational communities.
It was only recently that I returned from South Africa, at once inspired by the energy and dynamism of individuals, groups and extraordinary projects there and horrified by some of the stories I was hearing. After some 20 years in the non-governmental community, as an activist and advocate there, I came back to Sydney with a dual heart: at once elated and heavy.
My question was how to relate back to this world and offer something of service. Had I deserted by moving in with the love of my life in the comfortable and safe city of Sydney? Was I a deserter to this new land if I wanted to do work and offer support back to South Africa? Where is my allegiance? Who do I owe what to, if anything?
Of course this is all the more poignant at a time of my application for permanent residency in Australia and a time of increased horror stories back home. Following my brother's political cartoons keeps me in touch with South African issues, remaining involved with projects in South Africa makes me believe that I have something to offer, but the niggling question is always "is this enough?"
The lecture this morning at the Lowy Institute shed new light on the topic. It opened this personal debate to the wider political debate. It emphasised the importance of remittances (money sent back by peoples rather than governments, a particular interest of mine). It highlighted the importance of the "thickening and strengthening" of what Dr Fullilove calls the World Wide Web (a description he believes better describes those living away from their original communities - in his days of international studies the Billiard Board analogy was more often used, but he argues that various nations cannot be impenetrable Billiard Balls rolling around unaffected by the countries they brush up against or have contact with). His paper covering the impact of Diasporas on Homelands and Home Countries is at once fascinating and challenging.
You can find it yourself at http://www.lowyinstitute.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
