Governor Janet T. Mills (D), the first woman governor of Maine, proclaimed Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 National Equal Pay Day in Maine, symbolizing how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Nationally, women age 15 and over who are working full-time, year-round are on the average paid just 84 cents for every dollar paid to men. The wage gap is even more pronounced for women of color. Natioally, in 2021 African American women made 63 cents on the dollar, and Hispanic or Latina women just 57 cents on the dollar compared to white, non-Hispanic men.
“On this Equal Pay Day, let us recommit to paying women fairly and equally based on their experience, their responsibilities and their qualifications so that we can level the playing field for women across Maine and ensure that our state provides opportunities for all,” said Governor Mills. “Not only is it good public policy, but it is the right thing to do.”
Requirements regarding equal pay have been a part of Maine law since 1949, but wage inequality persists. To promote pay equality, Governor Mills signed legislation in 2019 to discourage employers from basing wages on an employee’s salary history.