The European Parliament on Thursday approved rules requiring companies to be transparent about wages, guarantee equal pay for men and women and include sanctions for pay discrimination.
According to 2020 data from the countries of the bloc, women in the European Union earn on average 13% less per hour than men for the same job.
Under the new rules, workers can ask to know the individual and average wage levels, broken down by gender, in their workplace.
Other rules state that if a company has at least 100 employees, it must regularly publish information on the gender pay gap.
Companies must also negotiate with employee representatives if there is a 5% deviation. Anyone who does not comply with one of the rules risks sanctions and fines.
Employees who believe they have been the victim of discrimination can claim compensation.
“The same work deserves the same salary. And equal pay requires transparency”declared the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen the day before.
“Women need to know if their employers are treating them fairly. And if not, they should be given the opportunity to claim and get what they deserve”he added.
These standards will still have to get the green light from the European Council, which represents the countries of the bloc.
The gender pay gap is only 0.7% in Luxembourg, while it is 22.3% in Latvia.
Source: DN
