Select Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Disproportionate Impact of Pandemic on Low-Wage Women

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2022) – TOMORROW, May 17, 2022, at 11:45 a.m. ET, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, chaired by Rep. James E. Clyburn, will hold a hybrid hearing entitled “Underpaid, Overworked, and Underappreciated: How the Pandemic Economy Disproportionately Harmed Low-Wage Women Workers” to examine how gender inequities in the workforce have been exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly for low-wage, hourly workers, who are disproportionately women and women of color.  Witnesses will also discuss how gender and racial inequities are impacting the economic recovery and explore how investments in paid leave and childcare can help to achieve a strong and equitable post-pandemic economy. 

A continuing recovery brought on by the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies has resulted in a historically low unemployment rate.  Despite record job growth, the female labor force has declined by 1.5 million workers since the pandemic began, compared to a male labor force decline of 900,000.  Because of this difference, experts fear that the pandemic will worsen long-term wage gaps and promotion gaps.  The hearing will examine further steps that can be taken to increase and maintain women’s workforce participation and ensure an equitable pandemic recovery.