Legislation to allow shared parental leave could be on its way, according to Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas.

’These are very much policy options that we need to put on the table,’ he said.

He added: ’There was consideration of using the Equality Bill to change this aspect of employment law. The decision was taken not to do that.

’I believe the Department for Enterprise, Council of Ministers, might well come back in the future with some sort of legislation along these lines.’

The issue of the Isle of Man’s gender pay gap - 7.7% on median earnings and 28% based on average pay - was raised in the House of Keys this week, when Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) asked what measures were being taken to reduce it.

Mr Thomas said it was not just a matter of presenting a business case for gender pay equality.

’This is about our island being an inclusive and caring island as well and it cannot be right that we do not have equal reward for work of equal value,’ he added.

’Already that is enshrined in the Equality Act and that protected characteristic becomes law on January 1, 2020 and will make a big difference to the terms and conditions under which all people are employed in our island.’