Date & time: 23 September, 15:45-17:00
Venue: Mersey Suite, Pullman Hotel, Liverpool, L3 4FP
Event format: Panel discussion Chaired by Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director, WBG
Speakers:
- Sarah Owen, MP, Chair of Women and Equalities Committee
- Alison McGovern MP, Minister for Employment (invited)
- Dr Sara Reis, Deputy Director and Head of Research and Policy, Women’s Budget Group
- Shabna Begum, CEO, Runnymede Trust
- Nicola Smith, Head of Rights, International, Social Affairs and Economics, TUC
- Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation
- Jemima Olchawski, CEO, Fawcett Society
About the event:
Join us for the launch of our new report, The Feminist Future of Work, to explore the opportunities for women presented by the Employment Rights Bill and the Race Equalities Bill. Together we will discuss the measures enclosed in Labour’s New Deal for Working People and what they mean for women and set out our recommendations for where measures could go further to improve women’s working lives.
Women’s position in the labour market is still shaped by structural inequalities. This leads to women being overrepresented in low-paid, insecure jobs, and more likely to face discrimination throughout their careers. Disabled women, single mothers, and Black and Minority Ethnic women are particularly affected.
- More women (3.5%) than men (2.8%) are employed on zero-hours contracts.
- 6.5% of women do not earn enough to qualify for sick pay, compared to 2.8% of men.
- 25.1% of women are economically inactive, compared to 19.1% of men.
The Employment Rights Bill could help address these issues by improving conditions for women workers, contributing to reducing the gender pay gap, and promoting a more equal workforce. By focusing on women-led sectors, increasing protection against discrimination, extending basic employment rights, and addressing unpaid care responsibilities, the Bill offers an opportunity to create meaningful change in women’s working lives.
Please contact Amy for more information.