Equal Pay Day in the United Kingdom
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Gender Pay Gap in the United Kingdom
The gender pay gap ranges in the United Kindgom (UK) with around 19 per cent above European average.
Equal Pay in the United Kingdom
Already in the 1950s, women went on the streets to demonstrate for equal pay for equal work or work of equal value. These uprisings were followed by adoption of the Equal Pay Act in 1970.
The Equal Pay Act has been modified and reformed in 2010. The reform in 2010 provides that employers should stick to the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value. Work of equal value is rated in terms of effort, skill or decision making. Furthermore, the reform of 2010 allows for equal pay audits as well as pay compensation.
In 2015, the government started a consultation phase calling for further action to decrease the gender pay gap. Among the considerations to act are broadening the career choices for girls or fostering efforts on pay transparency.
Equal Pay Day in the United Kingdom
On March 11, 2015, the EPD took place in the UK. On this date, the delegation of BPW UK attended the Conference on the Status of Women #59 in New York. The delegation distributed information material, talked to many people in the streets about equal pay and posed with the EPD flag in various places in New York City.
In addition, BPW UK joined the International Women's Day parade on March 8, 2015, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, demonstrating for equal pay.
Traditionally, on the equal pay day, the trade unions coalition and the Fawcett Society are actively pushing for the enforcement of the principle of equal pay.
Related Links
Equal Pay Day in the United Kingdom
Trade Unions Coalition: Equal Pay
Fawcett Society (2014). The time to act is now: Fawcett's Gender Pay Gap Briefing
Fawcett Society (2013). Equal Pay
European Commission: Exchange of good practices on gender equality - comments paper UK
Government Consultation (2015). Closing the Gender Pay Gap