In 2021, the gender pay gap in the EU it was 12.7% with no significant improvement over the last ten years. It is still considered that women earn on average 13% less per hour than men. Too little, according to the European Parliament, which yesterday finally approved with 427 votes in favor, 79 against and 76 abstentions a law reform that would require companies to be more transparent about their employees’ wages. To address the gender pay gap an obligation to intervene when there is a gender pay gap greater than 5%. But how it worksSpecifically, new legislation?
Stop Payroll Secrecy
Among the new measures The eurozone countries are committed to disseminating information to facilitate wage comparisons and identify existing gender pay gaps.. So no more secrecy of wages: workers have the right to receive clear and comprehensive information about the level of individual and average wages by sex. In addition, contractual provisions that prohibit employees from disclosing information about their remuneration or requesting information about it or about the remuneration of other categories of employees will no longer be considered legal.
Sanctions for companies and workers’ compensation
Job postings and job titles must be gender neutral. In addition, recruitment processes will be conducted on a non-discriminatory basis. For employers in both the public and private sectors who do not meet these criteria, EU countries are required to introduce “effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions”While for employees who have suffered discrimination, which for the first time includes the violation of the rights of non-binary people, compensation will be provided.
The burden of proof lies with the employer
Finally, if an employee believes that the principle of equal pay has not been applied and goes to court, burden of proof shifts from employee to employerA: The company will have to demonstrate non-discrimination. A change of perspective that promises to eliminate hateful gender discrimination. “Gone are the days when people were paid less just for what they are,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola commented via Twitter after the plenary vote. “Today we made a qualitative leap towards equality, especially for women. linking the principle of equal pay with equal work. An inclusive step for the benefit of everyone: employees, employers and our companies.”
“Gender equality is still one of the biggest challenges we have to face,” explains Giacomo Gigantiello, CEO of the Axa Italia insurance group, which launched the Axa Gender Equality Research Lab at Bocconi University this week. 2.4 billion women in the world do not have the same rights as men and this inequality is not only a consequence of injustice, but also an obstacle to economic development. Just think it’s worth over $16 trillion globally and to win this battle a collective approach is needed, where universities play a key role”In addition to community-based policies, it is important to encourage a greater presence of female students in STEM courses, where they are still a minority, and to encourage inclusive activities such as parental leave and mentoring and empowerment programs.” for always women’s leadership is broader and more conscious.
Source: Elle