Women's Chamber Applauds Obama Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order; Good for Women Workers and Small Business Suppliers

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (http://www.uswcc.org) supports the Executive Order on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces signed today by President Obama. This executive order assures that contracting officers have the information they need to stop letting contracts to corporations who have repeatedly violated fair pay and safe workplace policies while protecting responsible contractors who don't violate American labor laws.

"The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce advocates to support strong economic opportunities and security for women and women business owners; that's why we support this action. President Obama's commitment today aligns American purchasing with American laws and values to assure federal contractors compete fairly and pay their workers fairly," states CEO, Margot Dorfman.

"The federal government pays out over $500 billion in taxpayer dollars annually directly impacting millions of businesses and women workers. It is vital that our federal contracting system produces positive outcomes for all Americans.  President Obama's Executive Order for "Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces" will assure businesses are competing on a level playing field and that American women workers are being treated fairly when supporting federal contracting awards."

"Alarmingly, the Government Accountability Office found that a large percentage of firms receiving wage-and-hour and health-and-safety penalties go on to receive new government contracts. And, one in four of these companies were ultimately found to have significant performance problems. This is because, prior to this executive order, contracting officers have not had the tools they need to evaluate a firm's wage, health and safety violations prior awarding a contract," added Dorfman.

"Leveling the playing field to assure bad actors are not competing against quality, law-abiding firms is good for small business competitors and woman workers. Small businesses shouldn't lose federal contracts to bad actors who are illegally undercutting pricing by abusing workers," continues Dorfman. "Additionally, women workers are most impacted by these wage abuses as women hold a higher percentage of low paying jobs through federal awarded contracts."

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce unifies the collective strength of women in the U.S. economy. Using a platform of influence, innovation, and opportunity, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce works with and for its members to grow successful businesses and careers. For additional information, go to http://www.uswcc.org or call 888-418-7922.

SOURCE U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce