Women Are Working Unpaid Due to Gender Pay Gap
A recent report highlights that women have been working without compensation this year as a consequence of the persistent gender pay gap.
The Impact of the Gender Pay Gap
According to the TUC’s analysis, the 13.1% pay disparity implies that, on average, women effectively work unpaid for nearly seven weeks in comparison to their male counterparts.
Recent Findings
The report indicates that women officially concluded their unpaid work on Sunday.
Reasons Behind the Wage Disparity
The TUC attributes this wage gap to the fact that women are more likely to hold lower-paying positions and frequently work part-time due to caregiving responsibilities.
Stagnant Gender Pay Gap
The union organization emphasized that the gender pay gap has remained “stubbornly high” for years, particularly within professions that are predominantly held by women, including healthcare, social work, finance, and insurance.
Statistics on Age and Pay Gap
Research reveals that women between the ages of 40 and 49 face a gender pay gap of 16.5%, which escalates to nearly 19% for those aged 50 to 59.
Call for Fair Compensation
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak stated that fair compensation should be a standard for everyone, and women should not be regarded as “second class” workers.
Legislative Solutions
Nowak commented, “The Employment Rights Bill could help mitigate the gender pay gap by prohibiting exploitative practices like zero-hour contracts that disproportionately affect women. Additionally, introducing fair pay agreements will enhance wages and conditions in social care, a sector with a predominantly female workforce.”
Government’s Role in Addressing the Gap
He further stated that “Government policy requiring employers to publish action plans addressing their gender pay gaps can lead to significant change.”
