GMB welcome the announcement of the Equality Bill

19 November 2009

Kamaljeet Jandu, GMB national officer said, "I am sure that the business community will shout the mantra of 'no regulation', in particular at a time when the economic climate may be cosidered by some to be too fragile to impose equality measures on business. So the question that arises is, why didn't the private sector deliver equal pay during the times of economic growth? The UK would not be enduring the economic hardship, job losses and reposssions had there been greater regulation, transparency and responsibility of the private sector.

The private sector who employ nearly eighty percent of workers and advocate the virtues of the market place but cannot deliver equal pay or take voluntarily responsibility to address workplace segregation, un equal pay and other forms of discrimination, then surely government is right to regulate, legislate and promote a fairer workplace and a just society.

All employers should have a legal obligation to have mandatary pay audits and allow for statuatary cover for equality experts to make fairness and justice a reality."