While audiences are expected to flock this weekend to see the new film Made in Dagenham about a strike for equal pay by car workers, the gender wage gap in the South West remains, says South West TUC.
And the Government is refusing to enact legislation which could help women in the region get a fair wage for their work.
Friday (October 1), the same day Made in Dagenham is released, the Equality Act 2010 comes in to force. The Act brings together various pieces of equality legislation and strengthens it in some areas. It includes provisions around gender pay which include making pay secrecy rules unenforceable by employers.
However, the Government is not implementing all of the Act. Specifically it is refusing to implement a clause which would give ministers the power to require employers to publish figures concerning the gender pay gap.
The South West TUC says this will only help employers hide the true extent of their discrimination against women.
Nigel Costley, South West TUC regional secretary, told the PRSD: “The pay gap is still alive and kicking and often relies on secrecy in the workplace to hide behind. We want to flush out discrimination wherever it’s hidden.”
According to official figures, women in the South West earn, on average, 22 per cent less than men. Research by the Chartered Institute of Management (CIM) published in August found the average male manager earning £10,000 a year more than the average female manager. The CIM estimated it would take another 57 years for the gender pay gap to close. It too has called for an end to pay secrecy to counter unfair wage differences.
Nigel said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the women of Dagenham who stood up for equal pay and whose courage did much to bring in the Equal Pay Act in 1970. It’s notable how strikes that were opposed by so many at the time are now looked back upon with a different view and seen as entirely justified.
“The actions of the Dagenham strikers show the power people have when they work together for a just cause.
“Now, 40 years on, it’s high time we brought the curtain down on the gender pay gap. The Government should use the powers it could make available and ensure everyone gets a fair wage.”
(from a press release)
(image: still from the Made in Dagenham movie)
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