EQUAL PAY: POLL HIGHLIGHTS INDYREF OPPORTUNITY
A new poll by the Scottish Green MSPs highlights how a Yes vote 3 months today would present an opportunity to close the huge pay gap between men and women.
On average women earn 13 per cent less than men in full-time jobs, and 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.
A Survation poll of 1,000 Scots for the Green MSPs asked: "If Scotland had responsibility for these laws would you welcome the idea of large private sector employers also being required to ensure pay equality?"
75.7 per cent supported the idea, and of those 51.2 per cent said they strongly support it.
Women are keener on the idea, with 56.8 per cent saying they strongly support it compared to 45.2 per cent of men.
The idea also enjoys greater support among those identifying as Yes voters in the independence referendum, at almost 90 per cent compared to 72 per cent of No voters.
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy committee, said:
"It's clear there's a very strong desire among Scots for action to close the shameful pay gap between men and women. The opportunity we have in September is to take responsibility for this issue here in Scotland and make big employers do the right thing.
"We already know that fairness matters more than wealth in the independence debate, and I believe we have a greater chance of achieving that fairness if we decide for ourselves rather than leave it to Westminster."
Poll results in full:
Strongly support - 51.2%
Somewhat support - 24.5%
Neither support nor oppose - 21.7%
Somewhat oppose - 1.1%
Strongly oppose - 1.5%
Pay gap measurements - see table 1 (Close the Gap)