European Equal Pay Day: As the EU-wide gender pay gap persists at above 14%, an EU directive on pay transparency is urgently needed

November 10 marks, symbolically, the day from which, taking into consideration the current pay gap of over 14%, women in Europe will work for free until the end of the year compared to their males counterparts.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “For years, the pay gap between men and women in Europe persists at unacceptably high levels and still stands at over 14% in the EU. In too many countries, gender-based inequalities in employment and labour markets are too high and progress to close pay gaps is too slow. We expect the EU do play its part for more equal opportunities between men and women in Europe.”

He added: “We welcome the European Commission’s move to table a directive on pay transparency as a tool to help close pay gaps. What is needed now is a swift adoption of this directive by the European Parliament and the Council. For the last months, we have been lobbying to further reinforce the text before it is being adopted, most notably to maximise the coverage of the directive for as many workers across Europe as possible. A successful EU inititiave to improve pay transparency in the Member States would be a strong signal to citizens, workers and women in Europe that the EU can deliver for them. Today, as CESI we call on the European Parliament and the Council to adopt a strong directive without delay.”