Union
Amicus says 74 per cent of companies it asked to do an equal pay audit refused
– and another 25 per cent failed to even respond to the request.
In
all, only 50 out of more than 6,000 firms approached, agreed to carry out the
audit.
Amicus
said it is concerned by employers’ lack of interest and wants the Government to
make equal pay audits compulsory.
The
union said a recent report showing the pay gap between men and women had risen
from 18 per cent to 19 per cent backed up their argument.
Amicus
General Secretary Roger Lyons said: "There can be no reason for refusing
to do an equal pay audit other than the desire to conceal blatant
discrimination against women in the workplace."
