Workplace equality will help to boost the economy, the Scottish Government has said as a new labour market strategy was launched.
The plan will put "fairness at the heart of its drive to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting future economic demands", and £820,000 has been pledged to improve equality.
Earlier this week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said growing the onshore economy is her priority as the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics revealed oil revenues slumped from £1.8 billion to £60 million, contributing to a growing deficit.
Read more: Scotland has worst gender pay gap in UK, report claims
Employability Minister Jamie Hepburn launched the labour market strategy during a visit to the Scottish Gas training academy in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, on Friday.
Commitments include creating a strategic labour market group to advise ministers on future developments and funding for employability support
Mr Hepburn said: "The labour market is the beating heart of our economy and its future performance is fundamental to our prosperity and success. This is why we have published a new labour market strategy within the first 100 days of this Government, to ensure our support is tailored to meet economic conditions.
"Creating a fairer society is not just a desirable goal in itself, but is essential to the sustained, long-term prosperity of the Scottish economy.
"We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to a different and more inclusive approach to our economy. An approach that is supported by a growing body of evidence which shows that countries with more equal societies typically enjoy stronger and more sustainable growth.
"That is why we are focused on working with employers and unions to create more, better paid, quality jobs that work for the individual in terms of skills, security and future prospects.
Read more: Scotland has worst gender pay gap in UK, report claims
"Scotland's labour market is fundamentally strong, but maintaining the rights and protections workers enjoy under the EU is of vital importance to delivering our vision for the labour market."
Jane Wood, managing director of Business in the Community Scotland, said: "A strong and fair labour market is a critical pre-condition for the achievement of sustained and inclusive growth, which is a hallmark of a successful business.
"We are particularly pleased that the labour market strategy describes a commitment which is shared by our members and with Scottish Government to create a Scottish national action plan for responsible business. This is a unique collaboration in which businesses will work together and with Government to set the agenda for more inclusive growth for business and society."
Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said more consultation is needed with businesses.
"Scotland's businesses have made a massive contribution to Scotland's economic progress over recent years," she said. "During times of recession and austerity, we have continued to create jobs, and are now employing over two million people.
Read more: Scotland has worst gender pay gap in UK, report claims
"The challenge now is for the education and skills sector to plan for and meet the needs of future business demand, and that is why a labour market strategy for Scotland is welcome.
"However, our early impressions of this strategy are that it appears to marginalise the central role that business demand ought to have in any coherent plan for Scotland's future.
"We will be consulting with our network across Scotland to gain a detailed insight into how the new strategy is viewed by businesses. It is essential for our economy that the Scottish Government gets this right and we will work to help them achieve that."
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