NEWS RELEASE 19 November 2004 Embargo: 00.01hrs Sunday 21 November 2004
Scottish Trade Union Women express concerns on UK Government's Women and Work Commission
The 77th Annual Scottish Trades Union Congress Women's Conference this week expressed concerns on the recently established Women and Work Commission.
The conference in Stirling (Tuesday and Wednesday 16-17 November 2004), attended by working women from across Scotland, passed a resolution calling for action in the form of mandatory equal pay audits. Conference also expressed concerns that the remit of the Women and Work Commission does not allow it to make recommendations for legislative change.
Veronica Rankin, who Chaired the STUC Women's Conference in Stirling, said:
"The theme of this year's Women's Conference was closing the gender pay gap, and Conference unanimously supported resolutions on the need for mandatory equal pay audits. We feel that the range of influences on the gender pay gap that the Women and Work Commission has been asked to consider have been well documented through research already published, and debated on numerous occasions. Any additional information is useful, but another list of statistics on women is not the answer to reducing the pay gap. STUC Women's Conference agreed that what is needed is action, not least action on mandatory pay audits".
Veronica Rankin continued:
"Conference welcomed any initiative that positively addresses the gender pay gap, but was concerned that the Women and Work Commission will not do this as its remit appears to be more about measuring the pay gap than closing it".
Mary Senior, STUC Assistant Secretary, and Secretary to the STUC Women's Committee added:
"STUC Women's Conference also expressed concerns that established public appointment procedures were not followed in appointing the Commission's members. Whilst this is in no way a reflection on the individuals selected, the absence of any representatives from Scotland or the other devolved regions of the UK was noted."
Tel: 0141 337 8100 / Fax: 0141 337 8101 www.stuc.org.uk
Ms Senior added:
"The STUC Women's Conference also picked up on the omission of childcare and domestic responsibilities from the range of issues to be considered by the Women and Work Commission. We believe that it is essential that these issues should be included in any recommendations for tackling the gender pay gap".
The Women's Conference called on the STUC's Women's Committee to raise these concerns directly with the UK Government.
Ends
For further information contact:
Mary Senior 0141 337 8100