A Senate committee has advanced legislation that seeks to end Alabama’s status as one of two states without an equal pay for equal work law.

The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday approved the bill by Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile).The Alabama House of Representatives voted 98-0 last week to pass the bill.

The bill would prohibit businesses from paying workers less than employees of another race or gender without reasons to account for the difference.

Those reasons could include seniority, a merit system or productivity measures.

Clarke says she believes most businesses are paying employees equitably.

However, she said it is important to have a state law for when problems arise.

Alabama and Mississippi are the two states without pay equity laws.
(Associated Press, copyright 2018)

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