Women and Work Commission work

Despite 30 years of Equal Pay legislation women are still earning less than men.  The more complex and deep-rooted causes of the gender pay gap remain and unless action is taken, it will take decades before the pay gap disappears.

The Women and Work Commission (WWC) has now released its findings in the report “Shaping a Fairer Future” and sets out 40 practical recommendations to tackle job segregation and the gender pay gap.  If the recommendations are followed, it is anticipated the gender pay gap in the UK will finally be closed.    ‘Now is the time for action, and we urge all concerned to implement the recommendations in full’.

Women and Work Commission

The WWC was set up in September 2004 to examine the problem of the gender pay gap in the UK and other issues affecting women's employment.

The findings

The pay gap between men and women in Britain is one of the worst in Europe.  Women who work full time earn on average 17% less than men who work full time.  For part-time workers it is a difference of 38%.  The economy is losing up to an estimated £23bn a year because women's skills are being lost.

→increase women’s participation in the labour market

→ remove barriers to women working in occupations traditionally done by men

The Recommendations

The WWC make 40 reccomendations.  A summary of these can be found in the ESW Extra Women and Work.

How do we take this forward in the South West?

The recommendations of the WWC involve a vast range of stakeholders including unions, government, public authorities, voluntary sector and private sector organisations.

• A Regional Skills Partnership task group is proposed to incorporate the recommendations into the regional skills programme.
• Research on the gender profile of the regional labour market to provide accurate baseline data (extending the research conducted in Somerset).

Coordinated approach

A coordinated regional approach for implementing the WWC recommendations would, we believe, begin to see real changes for women’s opportunities and the gender pay gap.  

For further information...

ESW Extra Women and Work (ESW summary of Women and Work Commission report)

Shaping a Fairer Future (Women and Work Commission Report)

http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/women_work_commission/ (Women and Equality Unit website)