Checking Your Pay Online

By Andrew Bibby

Feeling underpaid? Check "Wage Indicator"!

Few people feel overpaid for their work. Many worry, however, that they may be earning less than others doing the same work. Wage Indicator Online enables an international comparison.

Collective bargaining and awards in Australia have ensured transparency in wages and conditions. The legislated individual secret contract system is undermining this. In many countries this has a longer history. A little collective self-help may help us find a way around this undermining of collective agreements. This website contains a database of people doing the same work and what they are paid. Those checking the website are encouraged to submit their own pay information so that the database becomes more comprehensive.. The database had its origins with three Dutch women who came together to discuss ways of helping women workers find accurate information about wages.

(World of Work, no. 53, April 2005)