PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
LOW PAY NETWORK CAMPAIGN (2 March 1993)

That this House supports the low pay network campaign to save wages councils; notes with concern the growing evidence that wages will fall for many workers, particularly women, if wages councils are abolished and the research by the Department of Employment on young workers' wages which shows that, in wages council sectors, wages have fallen relative to adult rates since the Wages Act 1986 was introduced and minimum wage protection removed from those under 21 years; further notes the abolition of wages councils may amount to a breach of the E C Equal Treatment Directive leading to possible damages claims by wages councils workers; and calls on the Government to delay abolition of wages councils in order to allow an adequate assessment of the social, economic and legal implications of pay reductions for women workers in wages councils industries.

Sponsored by:
Mr David Marshall (Labour)