Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader Jill Evans MEP has called for action in Europe to tackle the pay gap between men and women. The Euro-MP, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, highlighted the example of Anglesey where a recently published report showed that women's full time pay is as low as 59% of men's.

Jill Evans was speaking in today's European Parliament debate on the EU's priorities for the next six months when Luxembourg, a small country of around four hundred thousand people, holds the EU Presidency.

Speaking in the European Parliament debate, Jill Evans MEP said:

"I hope that real progress will be made on the 'Recast' equality directive. There is no greater example of the failure of policies on equality than the pay gap between men and women in employment.

"Thirty years after legislation was put in place, studies published this week by the GMB trade union shows that women's full time pay in Anglesey, in my constituency, is as low as 59% of men's. This is a scandal and must be addressed and I trust it will be given priority."

Speaking later, Jill Evans MEP added:

"I was pleased to have this opportunity to raise the example of Anglesey with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg who will be leading the EU Presidency for the next six months.

"It is an absolute scandal that after all this time the gap in pay between men and women remains so stark. I was absolutely shocked to see the figure for Anglesey. It is further evidence of how this New Labour government has utterly failed Welsh workers, and women in particular. We need action, not more empty promises."

Diwedd/Ends.