Brussels, 21/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - Changing existing legislation, introducing regular pay audits for companies, boosting the role of equal pay bodies and introducing appropriate penalties are the key recommendations made by the European Parliament in a legislative initiative report to reduce the pay gap between men and women by Edit Bauer (EPP-ED, Slovakia), adopted by 590 to 23 with 46 abstentions by the EP plenary in Strasbourg. Current legislation has been in force for more than 30 years but is no longer narrowing the trend and the MEPs therefore request the European Commission to come up with draft legislation before the end of next year to update the current rules.
The European Parliament suggests: 1) the introduction of compulsory regular pay audits for companies (of at least 20 members of staff, for example) and the compulsory publication of the results; and 2) a clear definition of concepts like the gender pay gap and direct and indirect discrimination as well as establishing job evaluations complying with equal pay for men and women rules.
It also suggests: 1) that the Commission and member states boost existing legislation by introducing appropriate penalties; 2) conducting a study on the feasibility and effectiveness of introducing penalties like compensating victims, administrative fines, employers being disqualified from benefits and subsidies, and naming and shaming offenders; and 3) that equal opportunities bodies should play a special role by influencing more effectively and more independently the application of gender equality legislation.
In a press release, the EP points out that on average women earn 15% less than men in the EU, and up to 25% less in the private sector. Women earn between 4% and 25% less than men depending on the member state, and the pay gap is persistent “with no narrowing trend” (from 17% on average in 1995 to 15% in 2005). (G.B./transl.fl)