[NYTr] Brits May Wait Until 2085 for Gender Equality in Wages

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Riaz K. Tayob

PA via The Guardian - Aug 2, 2007

MPs predict failure in bid to close gender pay gap

MPs fear it will take until 2085 for the gender pay gap to be closed.

Press Association

An influential all-party group of MPs has warned that the gender pay
gap could take another 78 years to close at the current rate of
progress, while some minority groups may never achieve equality if
current trends continue.

The communities and local government select committee's report on 
equality said "deep and entrenched inequalities and unfair 
discrimination persist" after 40 years of anti-discrimination laws.

"At the present rate of progress, it may take decades to achieve parity 
in employment and education for some groups while for others it will 
never happen," the report says.

"At the current rate of progress, it is estimated that it will take 
until 2085 for the gender pay gap to be closed and until 2105 to close 
the gap in ethnic employment.

"The situation is much starker for some groups, such as disabled people 
and Pakistani and Bangladeshi women who, under the same measure, are 
unlikely ever to achieve parity in employment."

Labour MP Phyllis Starkey, who chairs the committee, said: "There are 
not just moral imperatives in reducing inequality and discrimination
but economic and social benefits to be gained, too.

"We call on the government to do still more to tackle unfair 
discrimination and reduce inequalities, particularly those that are 
deep-rooted and persistent in society."

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "A great
deal of progress has already been made with the introduction of the
Civil Partnerships Act and laws to protect people against
discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, religion or belief,
amongst other legislation.

"Most recently, the prime minister announced the establishment of a new 
government equalities office which further demonstrates that promoting 
equality in our society and tackling all forms of discrimination is at 
the heart of policy making."