Twitter chat shows benefits that the real Living Wage has brought for women – and what more needs to be done

As part of our activities for Living Wage Week 2020, we hosted a twitter chat focusing on gender equality and the real living wage.

We were joined by expert voices on the issue of gender equality and workers rights, including:

• Natasha Davies, Policy and Research Lead – Chwarae Teg
• Deborah Hann, Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations – Cardiff University
• Mike Payne, Senior Organiser – GMB Wales & South West
• Hilary Watson, Policy & Communications Officer – WEN Wales

The chat considered issues including benefits of the real Living Wage, and how more employers can be encouraged to pay this rate. Among the arguments made were:

• Society undervalues the professions that women tend to dominate, particularly social care – leading to low wages
• Women benefit more from the real Living Wage as they are more likely to be paid below this rate
• Anchor institutions have a leadership role in setting an example to other employers
• Other aspects of women’s working lives that need to be addressed include care leave, better care options, and ending the stigma around the menopause

You can catch up on the twitter chat by searching the hashtag #BevanFChat – or you can read our discussion overview.

Find out more about our Living Wage Week activities here.