Equality Act Announcements (26/6/08)

Commenting on today's announcements by Harriet Harman, Dr Katherine Rake, Director of the Fawcett Society, said:

‘We are pleased that the Government has responded to Fawcett’s concerns by proposing new measures to end the yawning pay gap between women and men.

‘Transparent reporting of what companies pay to women and men is an absolutely necessary first step. We have to know where the problems of inequality and discrimination lie in order to tackle them.

‘However, it remains to be seen if the measures announced today will be sufficient to finally close the gender pay gap. The proposals would be further strengthened if they were accompanied by provision for introducing gender pay audits at some future date if required. We will also be lobbying for better protection of pregnant workers as the Bill is debated.

‘We are concerned that tougher measures may be needed for the private sector, particularly the 70% of companies not covered by today’s proposals, and that publishing the average pay gap may not be sufficient to uncover discrimination fully.’(1)

The Fawcett Society is campaigning for the following measures to be included in the Equalities Act:

• Protection: A ban on the dismissal of pregnant women. 
• Transparency: Compulsory gender pay audits for all organisations, so that the problems can be identified and tackled.
• Raising standards: The government to only buy services from organisations that promote equality.
• Let women stand together: Allow representative actions supported by unions so the burden is not on individual women to speak out.

(1) Harriet Harman’s speech outlined plans to promote gender equality in the 30% of private companies who provide services to the public sector.