The Scottish Trades Union Congress today (Thursday 26 June) welcomed the publication of the Equality Bill and many of its provisions, but called for stronger action to close the gender pay gap.
Speaking about the Bill’s publication, STUC Assistant Secretary Mary Senior said:
“This new Equality Bill is very welcome. A stronger Equality Duty will ensure public bodies are doing more to tackle discrimination, and using procurement to promote equality should also have a major impact in the private sector”.
Ms Senior added: “It is disappointing that there is to be no requirement on all employers to conduct an equal pay audit to expose any discrimination in pay systems. The 15 per cent gender pay gap in Scotland is a national scandal. The Government has to do more to address this. The STUC also wanted to see statutory rights for trade union equality reps, so as they can work effectively with employers to combat discrimination and promote equality”.
