Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
‘Living wage’ among
By Pat Omandam
women’s caucus proposals
Star-BulletinEmployers who contract with the state or counties would be required to pay employees a "living wage" of not less than $7.25 per hour with health benefits or $9.50 an hour without benefits.
It is one of the more controversial bills proposed by the Women's Legislative Caucus.
The bipartisan caucus -- made up of the 17 women in the 76-member state Legislature -- want to increase wages paid to employees to provide enough income to live on for minimum wage workers, many of whom are women.
State Rep. Iris Ikeda Catalani (D, Ahuimanu) said yesterday higher wages will allow these women to become self-sufficient, a goal that would give more freedom to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
A related bill would establish a four-year fair pay pilot project for all permanent, full-time state employers. It would prohibit wage discrimination based on sex, race and national origin. Another measure would create an earned income tax credit to provide additional assistance to welfare recipients entering the work force.
Caucus Co-Chairwoman Marilyn Lee (D, Mililani) said the 28 bills being introduced by the caucus were suggested from several community and women's groups. Other bills deal with pay equity, welfare, employment discrimination, long-term care, domestic violence and parental discipline.
Lee said the goal is to achieve the economic and social potential of each woman in Hawaii.
