ST. PAUL – Gov. Mark Dayton was joined by lawmakers and advocates on Sunday to sign a new state law aiming to reduce the gender pay gap in Minnesota.
The Women’s Economic Security Act seeks to break down barriers for women’s economic progress by enacting stronger workplace protections, reducing the gender pay gap, expanding family and sick leave, boosting support for victims of violence and considering a state retirement savings plan for residents without an employer-provided option.
“It should not require a law to ensure that women are treated fairly in the workplace, or that they are paid equally for their work,” said Dayton in a written statement. “However, too many women still experience serious economic disparities, unfair gender barriers, and other workplace discrimination in our state.”
The act passed the Minnesota Legislature last week.
