The gender pay gap remains a problem in Scotland

About 150 women from workplaces across Scotland are expected to gather at the Albert Halls in Stirling on Tuesday.

The STUC's Veronica Rankin said women had waited too long to receive equitable pay packets and parity with their male colleagues.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm is to address delegates and will say he is committed to closing the pay gap.

The STUC women's conference will urge action to tackle pay differentials and delegates will hear that women earn on average 19% less than men in Scotland.

Speaking before the conference, Ms Rankin said: "Working women have waited far too long to get fairness in their pay packets.

What women need is action in the form of transparent equal pay audits, to address these issues and to ensure pay systems are fair and equitable Veronica Rankin STUC

"There are a range of well-documented reasons to explain the gender pay gap including pay discrimination, job segregation and women's caring commitments.

"What women need is action in the form of transparent equal pay audits to address these issues and to ensure pay systems are fair and equitable."

The STUC, the Scottish Executive, the Equal Opportunities Commission and Scottish Enterprise are working on the Close the Gap initiative to bridge the pay divide.

Mr Chisholm said the executive "commended" the STUC for its work in tackling pay inequality in the workplace.

"Tackling equal pay is a priority," the minister said.

'Fair deal'

"It is not only right that women's work should be properly valued and that women should expect a fair deal in the workplace, it is also vital for the economy.

"Scotland needs to be able to draw on the skills and talents of all its people."

Speakers at the conference will include John Wilkes, director of Equal Opportunities Scotland, trade union officials and employment law experts.

Earlier this month, research suggested that the pay gap between men and women in Aberdeen is one of the widest in the UK.

Women earn an average of 30% less than their male counterparts in the same job, according to the Aberdeen Women's Alliance.