Wage Gap Debates: Who Speaks for Whom at Westminster?

• In Event: Gender, Bias and Parliaments

Abstract

There is an extensive literature on the gender wage gap. However, other forms are rarely studied despite known wage gaps experienced by marginalized groups--groups that should be protected by anti-discrimination law (e.g. wage gap between minority and dominant groups or workers with and without disabilities). The literature does not address why gender wage discrimination is commonly addressed by governments while other groups are not similarly protected. is it that there is little pressure in Parliament? The goal of this exploratory paper, which examines wage gap debates at Westminster, is to determine who, if anyone, speaks on behalf of other protected groups (such as minorities, workers with disability, the elderly).

Author

• Amy L. Atchison, Valparaiso University