Liz McKay

Just a day after Congress had recognised the damaging effect on Scotland’s economy of the segregation of women and men into different types of employment and called on the Scottish Government to make real its commitment to tackle gender inequality and occupational segregation, the First Minister announced to the STUC that the Government will set up a “Women’s Summit” to develop a strategy to tackle rising levels of unemployment amongst women in Scotland.

Speaking in support of action to address occupational segregation, Liz McKay of UNISON told Congress that 73% of Local Government workers and 78% of NHS staff are women. However, a recent Freedom of Information request by Close the Gap and the STUC Women’s Committee highlighted the fact that these employers do not have baseline information on women workers.

“How can Local Authorities plan and develop their workforce if they do not have this information on 73% of their workforce?” asked Liz.

She called on the Scottish Government to have a template for baseline information to meet the requirements of the Gender Equality Duty.

“Are we all in this together? No, it appears we are not!” said Liz.