'Made in Dagenham' Pioneers Equal Pay

On the day a new film is released that tells the story of how a group of 1960s women fought for equal pay, workers have won new rights that will help to stamp out pay discrimination.
Most provisions of the 2010 Equality Act take effect from today, including a measure to stop pay secrecy clauses being used to hide unfair differences between what men and women are paid.
The change in the law coincides with the release of Made in Dagenham, a British film about the women of the Ford assembly plant in East London who, in 1968, launched a campaign to demand equal pay. Their actions led to the creation of the 1970 Equal Pay Act.
Around 90% of the Act comes into force today, making the law simpler by bringing together nine pieces of legislation under a single banner. The Government will announce in due course its plans for the remaining parts of the Equality Act.
Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equality Theresa May met four of the original strikers last week.
She said: "Thanks to pioneers like the women who feature in Made in Dagenham, the workplace is much fairer than it was in 1968. But there is still plenty of room for improvement.
She added: "In these challenging economic times it's more important than ever for employers to make the most of all the talent available. When a company reflects the society it serves, it's better for the employer, the employees and the customers, so being a woman should never be a barrier to being treated fairly at work.
"From today the gagging clauses that stop people discussing their pay with their colleagues will be unenforceable, allowing women and men to find out if they're being paid unfairly.
"This move towards transparency is just one part of the Equality Act, which also makes it easier for businesses to comply with discrimination law by streamlining the equality laws, and provides more protection to disabled people."
The Act brings together nine different laws, including the Equal Pay Act, into a single piece of legislation, simplifying the law and reducing the administrative burden on businesses.
(BMcN/BMcC)