 Ms Hewitt said women had the right to expect fair treatment at work |
Women's rights to equal pay and a fair deal in the workplace are to be championed by a new commission, the prime minister has said. Tony Blair said it was unacceptable that women working part-time earned 40% less on average than men.
The Women and Work Commission will look at narrowing that pay gap, Mr Blair told Labour's National Policy Forum.
But Theresa May, shadow secretary of state for the family, accused him of making promises but failing to deliver.
The prime minister told delegates at Warwick University that the new group would report directly to him.
He said: "The pay gap between men and women has narrowed since 1997 but it is still too big.
"So today I am announcing the establishment of a commission on women and work to report to me on how we ensure all women get a fair deal at work."
Mr Blair said he was also determined to boost child care provision.
 | WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE Full-time women workers earn 19% less than their male counterparts Part-time women workers are paid 40% less per hour than full-time male workers By the end of 2005, almost half of large organisations will have begun an equal pay review |
The group, to start work in the autumn, will be chaired by Margaret Prosser, chairwoman of the Women's National Commission and former deputy general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union.
It will look at how men and women's education and skills affect which jobs they can get as well as the "glass ceiling" in career progression.
It has also been asked to compare women's experience in the job market before and after having children.
Research last month showed the average gap between men's and women's earnings now stands at 24%.
Payfinder.com, a website which monitors salaries, said the gap was apparent across all regions, sectors and roles - and was growing as salaries increased.
The gender pay gap between full-time workers is 18%, while part-time women workers earn 40% less than full-time male workers.
Trade and Industry Secretary and cabinet minister for women Patricia Hewitt said the situation had improved since the 1970s but more must be done.
"Women have the right to expect a fair deal in the workplace," she said.
But Ms May accused the government of "offering yet more warm words and platitudes" instead of action.
"Establishing a commission that may take many years to report will not disguise the fact that Tony Blair's government has failed to deliver on its commitment to equality in the workplace," she said.
Julie Mellor, chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), said she was "delighted" by the move.
She said: "Recent high profile discrimination cases show that women's expectations have changed, but their pay is still stuck in the 1970s.
"This issue needs urgent concerted action. Tackling the pay gap will require help for parents and carers to balance the demands of family and work, better use of women's skills and equal pay legislation that is effective in ending pay discrimination."
Liberal Democrat Jenny Tonge said it was "quite disgraceful" women were still paid less despite outperforming men in education for decades.
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After seven years in government the prime minister is only offering yet more warm words and platitudes 
