"There is one area in particular where we both believe there is a need for urgent change. It is shocking that in many parts of Europe women still do not have equal rights in the workplace. [my emphasis] This is not just unfair; it makes no sense - because it deprives our economies of their full potential as workers and consumers."
Amazingly, the "we" who wrote the above are the prime ministers of the UK and Sweden. It is in an article in today's Financial Times - Reining in Europe's deficits is just the first step
It makes you wonder whether David Cameron is fully aware of how our country lags behind Sweden in terms of workplace rights not only for women, but for men too.
It is not good enough to keep the focus on women alone. Urge legislative change on behalf of women all you want, but that in itself won't shift cultural attitudes. Sweden's pro-active legislation for men in the workplace has made
far more difference to the Equal Pay gap in Sweden than any efforts so far in the UK. After it became compulsory for Swedish employers to give men two months' paternity leave to share in baby care women's average pay went up by a startling 7% and Sweden's economy has so far weathered the recession extremely well.
The two Prime Ministers' pledge is that "... in Brussels today we will be pushing this issue in discussions on Europe's next strategy for growth and employment."
If David Cameron and his Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt are going to push for Swedish levels of workplace legislation then David needs to start in this country before he lectures the rest of Europe. And that includes Swedish respect for decent, comprehensive public services paid for out of higher taxation of the middle and upper classes.
So come on David, bring Swedish solutions to the UK.
Or are you scared of the Daily Mail brigade?
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