16 January 2006

Compulsory equal pay audits are key to gender equality, says NATFHE

NATFHE calls on the government to use new equality law to ensure that all public organisations and private companies carry out an equal pay audit - the vital first step in eliminating the gender pay gap.

NATFHE - The University & College Lecturers' Union, has just responded to a detailed government consultation on how to promote gender equality in the public sector.

NATFHE welcomes the recommendation that ‘positive duties’ should be placed on public bodies which places clear responsibility on them to take action. For example, an organisation must draw up a scheme that identifies gender equality goals and show the action it will take to implement them. This is in contrast to existing discrimination law which puts the onus on to individuals to challenge unfairness.

However, the union has expressed grave concern that the government’s proposals do not recommend a change of law requiring public authorities to carry out a vital equal pay audit.

The government acknowledges there is a 10% pay gap between men and women in the public sector. NATFHE knows that in universities, the gap is 13%, and is exacerbated by the higher proportion of women in part-time positions. It is not known what the equivalent figure for further education is but NATFHE believes it is considerable, particularly as the overwhelming majority of hourly-paid college lecturers are female.

NATFHE general secretary Paul Mackney, said:
"Lower pay for women is the most obvious manifestation of gender inequality at work. The starting point to eliminate it is to carry out an equal pay audit yet the government seems willing to let public authorities choose whether or not they wish to do this.

"Unfortunately, we live in a climate where most employers seek to do the minimum they can get away with to comply with the law. Without compulsory equal pay audits there is a real danger that this legislation will make no real difference to reducing the gender pay gap."

NATFHE believes the duty to promote gender equality should not be limited to the public sector and highlights that many public organisations subcontract work out to the private sector.

Notes to editors
Background
In October 2005, the Department for Trade and Industry launched the consultation document ‘Advancing equality for men and women: government’s proposals for a gender duty’. NATFHE submitted its response to meet the consultation deadline of January 12, 2006.

Contacts
Vicky Wilks, press officer: 020-7520 3207/07766 335793

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