“The Green Party pledges to make equal pay for men and women a reality”.
The latest figures on weekly wages in Wales from the National Statistical Office confirm Wales as the low pay capital of UK. It makes bleak reading for women here who are already earning 16.5% less than men for doing the same jobs. Another recent EOC report highlighted that they also have a 5% higher chance than men of being poor.
“Women’s pay is crucial for families as women often have to assume the role of family poverty manager. In the sixth richest country in the world poverty should have been eradicated by now, but the tragedy is that if you vote Labour, Tory or Lib Dem there will be even more austerity to come. Properly paid work for women will reduce children’s vulnerability to poverty too, which is why the Greens in Wales are giving it the priority it deserves” said Wales Green Party Leader and candidate for Newport West, Pippa Bartolotti
The impact of low pay goes deep. Income inequality has strong correlations with a range of problems among women of all ages particularly impacting on mental health and obesity
In the Gwent area the equal pay claims in the four local councils (Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Newport) have cost local authorities over £20 million to date according to a 2012 BBC survey. No figures were available for two of the biggest local councils Caerphilly and RCT.
Other authorities in North Wales have yet to settle.
At the other end of the employment ladder things aren’t much better with female representation of only 1 in 6 on the Boards across Welsh Government development zones. This compares poorly with the Government target of 25% representation on FTSE 100 companies by 2015. The two findings are related. More women in decision-making positions means more fairness in the work place. It can be done.
Locally Admiral Insurance, based in Newport, are bucking the trend. 62% of Admirals non-executive directors are women.
“All political parties to date have shunned enforcing the Equal Pay Act. Greens are adamant that it should be enforced and extended to cover all businesses in Wales. Greens will make equal pay and opportunity a reality.” added Bartolotti