Public sector takes up new duty

Gender Equality Duty aimed at promoting better pay and conditions for women

News, 6 April 2007

The new Gender Equality Duty comes into force today - Friday 6 April.

The duty requires public sector employers to address sex discrimination, promote gender equality, provide information and consult with unions. It is hoped that this will lead to better pay and conditions for the thousands of women working in the public sector in Scotland.

Currently the average gender pay gap in Scotland is 19.5% (based on weekly median earnings).

John Quigley, regional secretary for the trade union Amicus in Scotland, said: “It’s scandalous that in the 21st century, and more than 30 years after the Equal Pay Act was passed, so many women and their families are losing out.

"Amicus will be working closely with employers in the public sector to ensure that they do not pay lip service to the gender equality duty and are actually taking action to close the gender pay gap.”

The union said, however, that it was disappointed that the new equality duty does not extend to the private, voluntary and not-for-profit sectors, and that it would be continuing to campaign for the equal rights of women employed in all areas.