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TUC respond to ONS hours and earnings survey
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28/12/2007
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Commenting on last month's Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Progress on closing the gender pay gap has slowed to a snail's pace. It is completely unacceptable that despite making great strides at work and in education, women are still being paid 17.2% less than men.
“Whichever way you cut today's figures, women are being short-changed at work. Men are being paid far more at the top of the pay scale while women are more likely to be paid at minimum wage levels. Eradicating the gender pay gap would help to bring women and their children out of poverty. The 35.6% gender pay gap for part-time workers illustrates the shortage of quality part-time work across the labour market.
“Decisive action is needed to reverse the sorry state of pay inequalities at work. Greater transparency and fairness in pay systems will help employers to eliminate pay discrimination, but the voluntary approach has failed so mandatory pay audits are needed.
“Better access to good quality part-time and flexible work is also needed so that women can make full use of their skills and are not penalised for having a family. Government plans to extend the right to request flexible working to all parents is a welcome step towards closing the pay gap.”
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Author
Chris Rowlands
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