TUC: Government must address barriers to well-paid work for women

10 Nov 2017 11:41 AM

Commenting on the Fawcett Society’s analysis for Equal Pay Day (today), which finds little overall progress being made and a widening gap for young women workers, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The government needs to boost pay for undervalued jobs mainly done by women, such as social care. And ministers must do more to remove the barriers that stop women getting jobs in better-paid professions. Employers must help mums and dads share caring responsibilities equally.

“Every woman worker should join a trade union. Unions negotiate fair pay, better rights for mums and dads, and equal treatment for everyone. And if you’re being cheated out of pay because you’re a woman, your union will help you challenge your boss.”

Editors note

• Equal Pay Day is the day in the year when women effectively begin to work for free, based on a comparison of the gap between earnings for male and female workers. The date is calculated from analysis by the Fawcett Society.
• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.6 million working people who make up our 50 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.