A GREEN politician has called on members of the European Parliament to condemn the gender pay gap.

Speaking on Monday evening at the European Parliament, Green MEP for the South East Alexandra Phillips urged countries to take action over the disparity between men’s and women’s salaries.

She told them: “Every day across the EU, women open their pay cheques to find that nearly a fifth of what they should be earning has been stolen from them.

“Our economy is run by pickpockets,” she said.

“Day after day, year after year, until they retire on a pension that is – they

earn on average 35 per cent less than their male counterparts.

“For women whose gender intersects with their race, migration status, religion, sexual orientation and disability, this wage disparity is even higher.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, which recognises the right of women to be treated equally at work and earn the same as men.

Ms Phillips said it was “shameful” people were still having to campaign to have this right recognised.