Legislature passes Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

Headed to Governor Tate Reeves desk is House Bill 770. The legislature passed the bill today that calls for Equal Pay for Equal Work for Men and Women.

The bill states that no employer can pay an employee a wage at a rate less than the rate at which an employee of the opposite sex in the same establishment is paid for equal work.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch spoke out, applauding the bill, calling it a critical step forward empowering Mississippi women. “When Governor Reeves signs this bill into law, we’ll join the rest of the nation promoting the basic fairness of equal pay. We’ll take a giant leap forward in closing the 27% pay gap, a pay gap that makes it harder for working women and their families that leads to Mississippi women taking their talents beyond our borders.”

House Bill 770 was introduced by Representative Angela Cockerham. Similar legislation was introduced by senators Brice Wiggins and Nicole Boyd.