Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has called on the Government to bring in “tough new equality legislation” to help better protect the rights of women in the workplace and warned that failure to do so would “have a serious impact on London’s future economic growth.”
The Mayor’s cited the ‘2008 Women in London’s Economy’ report which suggests that on average women in London continue to earn almost a quarter less than their male counterparts.
it is also reported that there are just two female CEO’s in the capital and only 11 per cent of directors are women.
Speaking today Mayor Livingstone said is was “unacceptable that women in London continue to be paid and valued less than their male counterparts.”
“London’s economic success depends on employers being able to access to the widest range of talent and a strong skills base. The most far-sighted employers understand this and support the business case for equality. But there are still far too many employers in London who do not.”
There was backing for the Mayor’s comments from Green party Mayoral candidate Siân Berry has who was last week made a Patron of the new Fair Pay Network.
Ms Berry said the Mayor “is right to point to the lack of women in top jobs in the financial sector” but added “a bigger reason for London’s huge pay gap is that the largely male upper echelons of the financial giants are awash with money, but pay their mostly female cleaners poverty wages.”
“Under pressure from campaigners like London Citizens and the T&G union, some City firms have committed to paying all their staff at least the London Living Wage of £7.20 per hour. As Mayor, I’d happily name and shame those that won’t follow suit, and reward those that do.”
