How the EU benefits women

The SNP are committed to furthering gender equality in Scotland, and our actions build on protections put in place by the EU. By voting to Remain, we can protect these rights and build on them in the future.

Here are just some of the ways the EU has benefitted women in Scotland and across the UK.

  • EU membership supports jobs, meaning more opportunities here in Scotland. Our EU membership helps businesses create more jobs in Scotland, with over 300,000 Scottish jobs linked to our trade with the EU.

  • EU laws protect women’s rights during pregnancy. The EU gives women the right to statutory paid maternity leave and the right to take paid time off work to attend ante-natal examinations. It also protects women against dismissal during pregnancy and maternity leave.

  • The EU protects women from discrimination on the basis of their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or disability.

  • The right to equal pay is protected by EU law. Women and men must be paid the same for doing the same job or work of equal value.

  • EU law protects part time workers. Over forty per cent of women employed in Scotland work part-time. EU legislation means part-time workers cannot be treated less favourably than full-time workers just because they’re part-time. The EU gives all workers the same rights, regardless of whether they are temporary or permanent staff, or in-house or agency.