Closing the gender pay gap and ensuring the principle of equal pay for work of equal value are essential steps toward achieving a gender-equal society. In our joint project, the NFS, the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES), and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) have published a report on how to achieve pay equity and close the gender pay gap.

Women face inequalities in the labour market and earn unequal pay. The ILO Equal Remuneration Convention No. 100, which states the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value, and the UN CEDAW Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, have not yet been fully implemented in any country.

A key lesson from this study is the importance of trade unions and the need to prioritize Equal Pay to achieve results. The social partners in the six countries studied play a central role in improving equality in the labour market and in creating equal wages. Trade unions play a crucial role in ensuring wage surveys are conducted, advocating for pay transparency, and pushing for greater gender diversity in the labour market. Trade unions must also focus on issues affecting women, such as their overrepresentation in part-time work, sick leave, parental leave, and caregiving, to bring about real improvements and shape public opinion.  

Traditional gender norms are still deeply entrenched and play a role in upholding the acceptance of gender inequality, despite the countries studies being among the world's most progressive in challenging them. This is perhaps most apparent in the motherhood wage penalty, career choices and societal expectations of what roles women and men should pursue. These norms need to be questioned in order to achieve equal pay.  

In this report, we share knowledge and inspiration from the five Nordic countries and Germany and shed light on the obstacles to achieving equal pay. We hope that the positive examples collected in this report can inspire action to address unequal pay and promote a gender-equal labour market.

Mind the gap for a gender-equal future

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