50 Years on from the Equal Pay act and the Government are still being ‘slow to move’ on the issues facing women
50 Years on from the Equal Pay act, GMB union has hit out at the Government for being ‘slow to move’ on the issues facing women workers who take the brunt of the covid 19 crisis
GMB union has called the continuing pay gap ‘outrageous’ on the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay act.
With 41 days till the end of the year, November 20th marks equal pay day, the day when women workers stop getting paid the same rate in comparison to their male colleagues and effectively ‘work for free’ until the end of the year.
A report released today by the Fawcett Society has highlighted that 43% of working women and 50% of working BAME women are worried about their jobs or promotion. In addition, it also reports that 1 in 3 working mothers have lost work or hours due to childcare.
GMB has called out the Government for being slow to act on the issues that impact women workers, who are the most affected workers by the ongoing Covid-19 Crisis.
Nell Andrew, GMB National Equality and Inclusion officer said:
“Although the figures show a slight narrowing in the gender pay gap this year, not all companies have published their results. Therefore, we need to be cautious of celebrating that things are moving in the right direction for women workers.
“The truth is right now that women are being hit hardest by covid in work.
“In redundancies, in the rise in reporting of domestic abuse, in our care homes where women make up the majority of front-line workers; It is women workers who are facing the brunt of Covid-19.
“This Government has been painfully slow to move on any real measures that address the harsh battles women workers are facing and fighting in the workplace.
“It is nothing short of outrageous that 50 years on from the historic equal pay act being enacted, women are still facing a significant pay gap in this country.”
