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date: 29 October 2009

embargo: 00.01hrs 30 October 2009

Women have waited long enough for equal pay

Responding to the 2009 launch of the Fawcett Society's 'No Pay Day' today (Friday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The Equal Pay Act is nearly 40 years old and yet women are still earning 17.1 per cent less than men - the equivalent of 62 days unpaid work a year.

'The forthcoming Equality Bill represents a huge opportunity to put right the wrongs of the past 40 years. Women have waited long enough.

'But only by taking decisive action, some of which will cause discomfort amongst employers who are far too much at ease with women being underpaid, can the Government hope to end the gender pay gap.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 30 Oct 2009