Men and women’s employment rights

Women had been paid a lower wage than men for so long that employers were against equal pay for women because of the costs that would be involved.

Many trade unions were also reluctant to support equal pay for women as they thought that this would lower men’s wages.

The Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1971 and this meant that men and women who were doing the same job were paid the same wage

In 1975 the Sex Discrimination Act was passed and this meant that women could not be discriminated against in employment.

Despite the changes, many women work in low paid sectors like cleaning, clerical, cashiering, caring and catering.