Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin call for resolution of Civil Service equal pay issue at Executive

Published: 22 May, 2009

Sinn Féin call for resolution of Civil Service equal pay issue at Executive

Sinn Féin Newry/Armagh MP Conor Murphy said that he raised the issue of the long running Civil Service equal pay dispute at today's Executive meeting.

Conor Murphy said:

"I raised the long running issue of the Civil Service equal pay dispute at today's Executive meeting. Although Finance Minister Nigel Dodds was not present today I felt that it was important to bring this matter to the table. I asked that a progress report be brought to Executive Ministers as soon as possible to update us on the progress being made on this important issue.This of course is a legacy issue going back more than thirty years under British Direct Rule Ministers.

"It affected women who were not only routinely denied promotion opportunities because of gender but received lesser pay than their male colleagues for equal work. Sinn Fein is of the firm belief that responsibility for reimbursing those affected for the loss of earnings through discriminatory practices lies with the British Treasury which needs to be resolved urgently.

"Although many of those female Civil Servants are now retired and should not have to wait until agreement is reached between the Minister for Finance and the British Treasury, many are still serving but have been denied the progression that they deserved had they been dealt with on the basis of equality. I will be urging the Minister to take whatever measures he feels are necessary to bring this issue to a conclusion as a matter of urgency."