James Cunningham

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EQUAL WORKPLACE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN NOW

Jim Cunningham MP (Coventry South) raised workplace rights for women with the Government.

Jim asked Harriet Harmon MP, Minister for Women, about what actions the Government has taken to reduce discrimination against women in the workplace.

Ms Harmon stated that the Labour Government has done a huge amount to help reduce discrimination in the workplace but further work is needed.

Ms Harmon said “we have helped women in the workplace by tackling low pay, a problem that mostly affects women, through the national minimum wage and tax credits, and we have helped to balance work and family, a requirement which also mostly affects women, through better maternity pay and leave and flexible working, but there is more to do”.

Concerned by the number of Court cases involving female members of staff fighting for equal pay including staff in the public sector, Jim Cunningham raised the issue of gender pay gaps with the Minister.

Ms Harmon recognised this problem and highlighted a further £500 million invested in local government for capitalisation, to help local government on equal pay.

Mr Cunningham later asked the Minister for Local Government, “what steps the Government have taken to assist local authorities in tackling gender pay gaps among their employees”.

John Healey, Minister for Local Government, replied, “central Government have recently increased the financial flexibility available to local authorities to meet their equal pay obligations and to speed up progress on delivering equal pay”.

Mr Cunningham said, “The Labour Government has done much to ensure women have equal rights in the workplace, however more needs to be done.

“It is wrong that female members of staff in local Government have to take their employers to court to get the equal pay they are entitled too.

“Local Government should take the lead in combating workplace discrimination.”