Inequality from the first to last day of work

EPSU International Women Day 2023 banner

(8 March 2023) On International Women’s Day – 8 March – women across Europe are standing up for equality and economic independence.

Workers in France took to the streets on 7 March in protest against the proposed pension reform that even the government itself admits unfairly penalises women. Despite numerous laws, women's salaries are still 25% lower on average than men's in 2023. Involuntary part-time work, professional segregation, the glass ceiling, career breaks and unequal compensation policies act as barriers to any policies which aim to increase salaries for women.

The discrimination and professional inequalities suffered by working women throughout their careers don’t just continue into retirement – they get worse. In France, women receive direct pensions that are 40% lower than those of men, twice as many work until the age of 67, and 40% of them retire with an incomplete pension.

Women are overrepresented in sectors where workers are underpaid. Women dominated sectors - like health, care, and cleaning – continue to face chronic staff shortages. Even if these sectors are low paid, undervalued and often with poor working conditions, they are the ones that keep our societies going, as the pandemic has shown. The importance of these jobs must be recognised.

The gender pay gap must be closed. Women workers must be appreciated and celebrated for the value they bring to society through their work. Women deserve equal pay for work of equal value.

EPSU will fight for equality not only on International Women’s Day, but every day until the fight is won.

 

More like this

Jan. 22, 2021

ETUC highlights pay inequality in push for transparency directive

Europe

The ETUC is publishing examples of pay inequality from around in Europe in its campaign to put pressure on the European Commission to deliver on its promise of a pay transparency directive. The ETUC’s first examples from the manufacturing sector clearly how women are paid less even when their jobs require the same levels of skill and physical effort as those of men. The ETUC also points out that the Covid crisis has exposed the deep-rooted bias behind wages for professions dominated by women, with carers and cleaners recognised as ‘essential’ despite being amongst the lowest paid. ETUC (EN+FR)

 S
Mar. 15, 2019

Report highlights pay inequality in civil service linked to gender share in employment

U.K.

A new report from the PCS civil service union reveals considerable pay inequality across government linked to the proportion of men/women in each department. For example, a civil service executive officer, in a majority male department is paid £3771 (EUR 4415) (13%) more than an executive officer in a majority female department while a civil service administrative officer, in a majority male department is paid £2675 (EUR 3130) (12.6%) more than an executive officer in a majority female department. The union attributes the problem to the delegation of pay negotiations to departmental level and

 S