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Respect policies Women's Rights
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All materials published and promoted by L Smith, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU
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Respect is committed to equal rights in all spheres of society including equal rights for women. We want to see a world where the contribution of women is fully valued and rewarded.
Women now make up 50 percent of the British workforce, but despite the 1974 Equal Pay Act women in full-time work still only earn 82 percent of the male wage. Women working part-time earn about 76 percent of the male wage. Some 48 percent of part-time women workers have dependent children. The high cost of nursery provision means that part-time work, with poverty wages, is often the only option.
The recommendations of the Women and Work Commission published in February 2006 will do nothing to change this situation. It fails to even consider the fact that the work carried out by the majority of working women, particularly in the caring professions, is consistently undervalued and therefore under paid.
It is right that all employment avenues should be equally open to women and men, but without tackling low pay in this field equal pay legislation will remain largely ineffective.
Britain’s record on childcare is appalling. In 2000, 68 percent of Swedish three-year olds were in pre-school education, 70 percent in Norway and 80 percent in New Zealand. In Britain it was only 53 percent. The gap is even bigger in respect of provision for those under three.
The changes promised by New Labour in its Ten-year Strategy for Childcare are a mixture of private and state provision with means-tested benefits. A provision aimed only at three and four-year olds is inadequate for mothers who return to work after the six months maternity leave.
Respect supports a women’s right to choose whether or not to continue a pregnancy, and will oppose any attempt to change current legislation on this issue which further undercuts women’s rights. Women face discrimination over pregnancy and maternity
rights.
A survey by the Equal Opportunity Commission revealed that every year 30,000 women are sacked or forced out of their jobs by employers seeking to avoid paying for maternity leave.
Domestic violence remains a major problem. It is a product of society as a whole and should be treated with the utmost seriousness. Safe re-housing and refuge accommodation should be made available.
Sexual harassment in the workplace also continues and its abolition should be a campaign championed by the unions.
RESPECT CALLS FOR:
> Full enforcement of equal pay legislation. Fine employers who flout this legislation.
> Universal childcare in publicly funded nurseries for the full working day, as well as afterschool clubs for all children.
> End discrimination against women at work during pregnancy and on returning to work.
> Extend parental leave entitlements to all employees regardless of size of workforce.
> Women must be free from domestic violence. Safe accommodation should be provided where necessary.
> No sexual harassment in the workplace.
> For a woman’s right to chose.
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