The public and representatives from all work sectors are being encouraged to attend an event which will highlight, discuss challenges and develop solutions to Anglesey’s Gender Pay Gap (GPG).
Local AM, Rhun ap Iorwerth is organising the debate in light of figures which show that Anglesey has the one of the highest GPGs in Wales at 17.8%. This is percentage is the difference between men and women’s average hourly earnings.
The event will be an opportunity to discuss and try to understand why women aren’t progressing in the same way as men, with their skills and potential often underutilised. It will also look at what actions must be taken to ensure that women can access and advance in fair work with decent pay.
Taking place from 6.30pm-8.00pm on Thursday 14 November at M-SParc, Menai Science Park, Gaerwen, those interested in attending the event should register via the website Eventbrite.
Joining Rhun on the panel will be Helen Antoniazzi from Chwarae Teg – Wales’ leading gender equality charity, Llinos Medi, Leader, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Aled Jones-Griffith, Principal, Llandrillo Menai Group and Llinos Davies, District Inspector for Anglesey.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: “It is just over a hundred years since women were granted the right to vote in the UK – but we must recognise that there is still a long way to go in tackling the gender pay gap and inequality of representation between men and women.
“Recent provisional figures published by the Office of National Statistics show that the average gender pay gap in Wales is 14.5%, and that the gap has increased by 1% over the last year, which further illustrates the need for robust action to tackle this inequality.
“In Anglesey, for example, the gap stands at an enormous 17.8%. I am looking forward to hosting this important event at M-Sparc on Thursday, November 14th, alongside Chwarae Teg, who do work in this field, to discuss this situation further and establish a set of actions to tackle this problem.”
Helen Antoniazzi, Chwarae Teg, said: “I hope this event will lead to a real understanding of why women in Anglesey are earning so much less than men and are not progressing in their careers in the same way, so that appropriate and effective steps can be taken to address and resolve the problem.
“At Chwarae Teg we support employers to close the gender pay gap and secure gender balance in workplaces. Indeed, organisations can reap huge rewards in terms of increased productivity, improved staff retention and reduced sickness leave, after implementing relatively simple measures which enable female employees to thrive.
“Our research shows that achieving gender equality could add almost £14billion to the Welsh economy, so is not just a ‘nice-to-have’, but an economic ‘must-have’.”
