‘Alarming gender pay disparities in retail work’

ALMOST 60% of women working in retail earn less than €18,000 per annum, compared to 35% of men.

Mandate trade union yesterday called for concerted action from government and employers to end the alarming pay disparities between men and women.

The union is campaigning for significant flat rate pay increases for workers to be included in any new national pay deal. Review talks on Sustaining Progress begin next Monday.

Speaking after the first session of the ICTU Women’s Conference, which continues today in Galway, Mandate official Bernard Archbold said research shows alarming pay disparities still exist between the genders. The figures are particularly stark in lower paid jobs such as retail.

“Despite being a majority in this sector, the figures show that women are concentrated at the bottom, working in the lower-paid retail jobs, while men are in fact over-represented at the top level.

“The most recent figures indicate that only 13% of women employed in the retail sector are in management and administration, while 30% of men are employed in this category.”

Mr Archbold said of further concern was the high portion of those in low pay retail jobs who were lone parents.

“Many lone parents work in retail due to the fact that they will be facilitated in working shifts.

“This is often the only option available to them due to the lack of adequate and affordable childcare and the absence of flexible working arrangements.