Evidence in the latest employment statistics showing that Scotland is outperforming the rest of the UK when it comes to reducing the gap between male and female employment is a welcome sign of progress. The figures show that the gap between male and female employment rates in Scotland has fallen from 9.4 per cent in November-January 2013 to the current rate of 5.4 per cent. In contrast, the rate across the UK has risen from 9.8 per cent to 9.9 per cent over the same period. Overall, the figures show that Scotland has higher employment and lower unemployment than the rates for the UK as a whole. Employment in Scotland has risen by 50,000 over the last year to the current rate of 73.8 per cent, compared to the UK rate of 73.0 per cent. Scotland’s unemployment rate of 5.9 per cent is lower than the UK rate of 6.0. Although significant process has been made, there is still a helluva long way for Scotland to go until we have gender equality in the workplace. Women still face many obstacles when entering employment that do not apply to their male counterparts. Those obstacles need to be removed and, if need be, legislation should be brought in to enforce gender equality in the workplace and in the labour market. This view is shared by SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing has said that this news is ‘pleasing’ but warns that there is “a long way to go if we are to eliminate this continued inequality” “The fact that Scotland is outperforming the UK as a whole – where in gender employment gap has actually increased – shows that there is a determination to tackle this issue in Scotland. “That only underlines the importance of ensuring Scotland gains the powers we need to let us go further and take a distinctively Scottish approach when it comes to tackling inequality in employment. “With responsibility for setting the minimum wage, we can also take action to help people whose wages have stagnated as in-work poverty has risen. “With Scotland also outperforming the UK when it comes to overall employment and unemployment rates, it is the latest indication of the growing strength in Scotland’s economy and a welcome demonstration that the Scottish Government’s programme of investment is paying dividends.”
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:11:43 +0000
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