Submission to the Low Pay Commission

Published: Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Women are more likely to be min wage or low paid workers. Our experiences are shaped by age, education, family status, being a Traveller or other ethnic minority, disability, migration status, LGBTI+ identity, or living in a rural area. We need a significant increase in the min wage to close the gap between it and the living wage. NWC calls on the Low Pay Commission to set out a clear pathway to delivering a living wage. Collective bargaining is one of the most effective ways to create more a equal redistribution of wealth, reduce inequality and address low pay. We must legislate for collective bargaining rights, as recommended by the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality. We must recognise care as a key driver of women’s over-representation in low paid work. We need investment in a public care infrastructure for ECEC and adult social care and better pay and working conditions for the many young, migrant women workers in those sectors.

Download file: Submission to the Low Pay Commission