Men still paid more
Monday, 27 February 2006 12:00
The gap between men and women's pay in Britain is worse than in any other country in Europe, new figures reveal.
More than 30 years after the government passed laws saying men and women have to be paid the same amount for the same work, men earn 17 per cent more than women on average.
The Women and Work Commission today published its Shaping a Fairer Future report - containing recommendations on how increase the number of women to working in traditionally male industries, including making them more aware of the salary benefits, and promoting apprenticeships and work experience.
And the government has also taken action, with prime minister Tony Blair charging Women's minister Tessa Jowell with responsibility for creating an action plan based on today's recommendations.
"[The report] highlights the complexity of the issues that work together to disadvantage women and put a break on the economy," she said. "Their recommendations are innovative and cutting edge but they are also practical and acceptable to all key players."
But some believe the commission's recommendations do not go far enough.
"This report has shortchanged a generation of women. These measures alone will not bring change quickly enough for women up and down the country who are currently being paid too little," said Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society.
"If this government wants to go down in history as having closed the pay gap, it's going to have to try a lot harder.
"It's not enough to encourage employers to change - that's been happening for years, but change is too slow. The time is long overdue for rigorous measures that will actually work."
The Fawcett Society is calling for compulsory gender pay audits for all firms, as well as measures to combat Britain's long-hours working culture that poses major problems for women with children or other caring responsibilities.
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