EC wants to slash gender pay gap

The European Commission plans to use a series of measures aimed at significantly reducing the pay gap between men and women over the next five years. The average gender pay gap in the EU currently stands at 18%.
To lower this rate, the Commission plans to raise awareness among employers, encourage initiatives to promote gender equality and support the development of tools to measure the gender pay gap.
The Commission intends to consult the European social partners and analyse the impact of a number of options: strengthening sanctions, providing pay transparency and regular reporting on the pay gap. A Eurobarometer survey released this week shows that more than 80% of Europeans support urgent action to address the gap.
"I am deeply concerned that the gender pay gap has barely fallen over the last 15 years and in some countries it is even increasing," said Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. "In these times of crisis, the gender pay gap is a cost Europe cannot afford. Together with member states, we will seek to significantly reduce the gender pay gap in the EU by the end of this Commission's mandate."
In the second half of 2010, the Commission will put forward a new EU strategy for gender equality for 2010-2015.
The Commission aims to raise awareness among employees, employers and the public of the causes of the pay gap and potential solutions; and, encourage initiatives promoting gender equality at the workplace with equality labels, charters and awards.
In France, for example, the "Label égalité professionnelle" was established in 2004. Companies can obtain it for three years if they follow a special procedure and show their commitment to gender equality in a range of areas.
According to a study conducted under the Swedish EU Presidency in 2009, eliminating gender gaps in employment in the EU member states could lead to a potential 15-45% increase in GDP.