International Equal Pay Day is celebrated for the first time today, 18 September 2020.

Today, we reflect on the many campaigns fought to achieve equal pay for work of equal value, and the tools available to the UK Government to end unlawful pay discrimination.

We believe the implementation of international human rights law can help tackle discrimination, inequality, and other harmful exclusion and differentiation on the basis of characteristics such as age, sex, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, immigration status, or race.

At Just Fair, we monitor and advocate for economic and social rights. In particular, we believe that the incorporation of the UK Government’s binding obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights into the UK’s domestic legislation would improve access to justice for people who do not have equal pay.

Other international human rights standards which promote equal pay, include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which promote decent work and economic growth by seeking full and productive employment and decent work for all, including young people and disabled people, and equal pay for work of equal value.

It has been 50 years since the Equal Pay Act 1970 was introduced in the UK. However, there is still a pay gap between people who have the same job. We recommend The Equality Trusts’ #EqualPay50 campaign, and ‘50 Years is Long Enough: A Report by The Equality Trust into Unlawful Pay Discrimination’. This report analyses and critiques FTSE 100 gender pay gap reporting and progress and makes recommendations to end unlawful pay discrimination.

Now is the time for us to build a better future of work by ensuring pay equity; a society in which everyone has the rights they need to flourish. 

Misha Nayak-Oliver, Campaigns and Advocacy Lead

Want to read more? See Just Fair’s statement in response to COVID – 19 and Just Fair’s Communications, Research and Advocacy Manager, Imogen Richmond-Bishop, explain why ‘The UK Must Stop Fuelling Inequality And Choose A Better World’ and ask about the ‘Equal Pay Act: Why Are Women And Minorities Still Paid Unfairly 50 Years On?’.