PAY DISCRIMINATION
Government departments and agencies slow to publish equal pay action plans
Only a fifth of government departments and agencies had submitted equal pay action plans a week before the deadline, according to figures gathered by the Public and Commercial Services Union.
All government departments and agencies have been given a year to conduct equal pay reviews and submit equal pay action plans but there is growing concern that many could miss the 30 April 2003 deadline. This will mean that findings will not be available to inform the 2003 wage round.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said: "With a week to go to the deadline we are appalled that only nineteen out of 93 have so far submitted their equal pay action plans and even though those departments and agencies who have submitted account for half the civil service we still have grave concerns about just how seriously some departments and agencies are taking the issue."
The PCS calculates that there is currently a 27% gap between the median salaries of male and female full-time workers across the civil service.
Serwotka added: "We sincerely hope that it is not a case of government departments dragging their feet on the issue and by the deadline expect all government departments and agencies to have submitted their plans. The issue of pay equality is something the government is looking to lead by example on. Equal pay reviews are an important step and one all employers need to take if pay inequality is to be addressed."
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The Public and Commercial Services Union is one of the UK's largest trade unions. Its 288,000 members deliver governmental services in both the public and private sectors. They work in government departments, agencies, public bodies, and in a number of private companies, notably in information technology. To find out more visit www.pcs.org.uk
Posted 1 May 2003