Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee conducted a detailed inquiry into equal pay last year.
Action 4 Equality Scotland gave both written and oral evidence to the Committee - which we put up on the blog site at the time - copies can still be sent to readers by e-mail.
The Committee subsequently published a detailed report which can be read on-line at the Scottish Parliament web site: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/
Here are a few of its observations - which might come in handy if you are discussing equal pay with local councillors, MPs and MSPs.
"The Committee shares the concerns expressed by other parliamentary committees that it has taken so long to implement Single Status and believes it is not surprising that a number of legal rulings and case law have developed in the intervening period which have impacted on the number and complexity of equal pay cases.
The Committee is also concerned that these delays may have led to low-paid women workers losing out. These workers might have been entitled to upgrading and backdated compensation but, as a result of the delays in settling, may have left or retired without being aware that they could make a claim or may not have received sufficient compensation for the years of unequal treatment, because of the five year time limit.
In evidence to the Committee, all parties expressed a willingness for the issues to be resolved, however there did not appear to be agreement over how to take things forward.
The Committee believes this is deeply regrettable and serves no-one well, least of all the claimants.
For these reasons, the Committee has recommended that all the relevant parties should enter into discussions to resolve these issues and that these discussions should be facilitated by the Scottish Government.
Where it is possible to achieve a negotiated settlement, every effort should be made to reach one."
Action 4 Equality Scotland gave both written and oral evidence to the Committee - which we put up on the blog site at the time - copies can still be sent to readers by e-mail.
The Committee subsequently published a detailed report which can be read on-line at the Scottish Parliament web site: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/
Here are a few of its observations - which might come in handy if you are discussing equal pay with local councillors, MPs and MSPs.
"The Committee shares the concerns expressed by other parliamentary committees that it has taken so long to implement Single Status and believes it is not surprising that a number of legal rulings and case law have developed in the intervening period which have impacted on the number and complexity of equal pay cases.
The Committee is also concerned that these delays may have led to low-paid women workers losing out. These workers might have been entitled to upgrading and backdated compensation but, as a result of the delays in settling, may have left or retired without being aware that they could make a claim or may not have received sufficient compensation for the years of unequal treatment, because of the five year time limit.
In evidence to the Committee, all parties expressed a willingness for the issues to be resolved, however there did not appear to be agreement over how to take things forward.
The Committee believes this is deeply regrettable and serves no-one well, least of all the claimants.
For these reasons, the Committee has recommended that all the relevant parties should enter into discussions to resolve these issues and that these discussions should be facilitated by the Scottish Government.
Where it is possible to achieve a negotiated settlement, every effort should be made to reach one."
