Proposal for Government to publish gender pay gap figures

Tuesday 23 May 2023

The States Employment Board should publish an annual breakdown of gender pay gaps for each Government department from next January, according to a backbencher.

Deputy Max Andrews has lodged the proposition after raising concerns about a lack of information.

A recent Statistics Jersey report highlighted the earnings for male and female public-sector employees, showing an overall gap of 20% between the median monthly earnings for men (£4,310) and women (£3,600).

The report also showed that the gender gap increased for older employees aged 35 to 64.

Deputy Andrews added that he is also "proposing that for each Government department, the SEB publish the income ratio in relation to the highest and lowest income earners from January 2024".

Pictured: Deputy Max Andrews has lodged the proposition after raising concerns about a lack of information.

Last year, a Gender Pay Gap Scrutiny Panel was formed after previous failed attempts to solve the issues – such as gender stereotyping, occupational segregation, unconscious bias and more women taking on domestic commitments and caring responsibilities – which keep women from higher pay brackets.

The panel, which issued its report before last year’s general election, was chaired by Deputy Louise Doublet, with Deputy Kristian Moore – at the time a backbencher – and Deputy Sam Mézec completing the membership.

In March, in response to a report published by the panel, Deputy Moore committed to "publishing the islandwide gender pay gap data on an annual basis" and to providing additional investment for Statistics Jersey in the 2023 Government Plan to allow further development of gender pay gap statistics.

Deputy Andrews’ proposition is set to be debated in June.