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EQUAL PAY: GREENS HIGHLIGHT YES OPPORTUNITY

Green Yes, the Scottish Green Party's campaign for a Yes vote in the
independence referendum, is urging voters to seize the opportunity to
create a more equal society.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone, a member of Holyrood's economy committee,
today (5 Sep) launched a new booklet by the Women's Network of the
Scottish Green Party, highlighting the appalling pay gap between men
and women.

On average women earn 13 per cent less than men in full-time private
sector jobs. This means if a man earns £10,000, a woman doing
equivalent work gets just £8,700. The gap is almost 34 per cent less in
part-time jobs.

Equal pay laws are controlled by Westminster and at the moment only
public sector employers are required to take steps to ensure pay
equality.

In June a Survation poll of 1,000 Scots for the Green MSPs found that
75 per cent supported the idea of large private sector employers being
required to ensure pay equality.

Alison said:

"The opportunity we have on 18 September is to create a more equal
society. The austerity agenda of the UK, which will continue whoever's
in Downing Street, is particularly harmful to women, and there's no
offer to devolve responsibility for equal pay laws.

"By taking control we'd be able to give this matter the attention it
has sadly lacked. There's a clear desire among Scots for action on
this, and it's better we decide for ourselves than hope Westminster
changes its tune."

 

Scottish Green Party Women's Network booklet "INEQUALITY IS UNJUST AND
UNSUSTAINABLE"

Pay gap measurements - see table 1 (Close the Gap)