Dundee West Labour
3 August 2019
New analysis from Scottish Labour has revealed that the pay gap between white workers and ethnic minority workers in Scotland is estimated to be more than double that of the British average.
Data from the Office of National Statistics suggests ethnic minority workers earn on average 10% less than white workers in Scotland, compared to an average gap of below 4% across the UK.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard condemned the revelations, and called on the Scottish Government to review how it can use procurement policies to close the gap.
Mr Leonard also insisted that his plans for the devolution of employment law with a ‘UK-floor’ would allow Scotland to tackle this ‘pay shame’.
Labour has also committed to increase the minimum wage to a ‘real living wage’ of £10 per hour, if they form the next government.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said:
“People from Scotland’s ethnic minority communities play a vital part of our economy, and it is shameful that there is any pay gap between ethnic minority workers and white workers.
“The fact that Scotland’s ethnic minority pay gap is more than double the UK average is unacceptable and, that’s why Scottish Labour want the Scottish Parliament to have the power to improve employment laws and tackle injustices like this.
“If we had a UK-floor we could prevent a race to the bottom on wages, terms and conditions.
“But I urge the First Minister and her Government to urgently review its own procurement practices to ensure they are also doing all they can to deliver fair pay for all.”
New analysis from Scottish Labour has revealed that the pay gap between white workers and ethnic minority workers in Scotland is estimated to be more than double that of the British average.
Data from the Office of National Statistics suggests ethnic minority workers earn on average 10% less than white workers in Scotland, compared to an average gap of below 4% across the UK.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard condemned the revelations, and called on the Scottish Government to review how it can use procurement policies to close the gap.
Mr Leonard also insisted that his plans for the devolution of employment law with a ‘UK-floor’ would allow Scotland to tackle this ‘pay shame’.
Labour has also committed to increase the minimum wage to a ‘real living wage’ of £10 per hour, if they form the next government.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said:
“People from Scotland’s ethnic minority communities play a vital part of our economy, and it is shameful that there is any pay gap between ethnic minority workers and white workers.
“The fact that Scotland’s ethnic minority pay gap is more than double the UK average is unacceptable and, that’s why Scottish Labour want the Scottish Parliament to have the power to improve employment laws and tackle injustices like this.
“If we had a UK-floor we could prevent a race to the bottom on wages, terms and conditions.
“But I urge the First Minister and her Government to urgently review its own procurement practices to ensure they are also doing all they can to deliver fair pay for all.”