Salarissen van vrouwen gemiddeld 16 procent lager dan van mannen in EU (en) - Hoofdinhoud

One of the long-standing obstacles for the equal economic independence of men and women is the difference in salary. This complex phenomenon is observed throughout the entire life-cycle of women - starting with lower positions, salaries, and pensions and ending with a higher risk of poverty. Mrs Pabendiskienė stressed these points during the opening of the EU conference, Negotiating Equality - Successful Strategies, which is taking place in Vilnius today.

“Despite the fact that both the EU and national legal acts require that men women be paid equal salaries for the same work or work equal in value, a gap between women and men salaries still exists in all EU Member States. On average, in the EU women’s salaries are about 16% lower than men’s; in Lithuania this gap is smaller - about 12%,” the Minister A. Padebinskienė said.

According to her, the smaller gap in Lithuania was achieved because of a systemic approach. First of all, the measures to promote women’s participation in the labour market are implemented. That’s why today in Lithuania women employment almost equals that of men and unemployment is actually lower. What is more, the measures to improve the ability to balance work and family are also implemented. Thanks to them, the employment level of women raising children is closer to that of men raising children. Moreover, because of the measures to promote women leadership by increasing motivation, self-confidence, and qualification, we’re seeing more women as politicians and heads of SMEs.

During the Presidency, Lithuania focuses on the effectiveness of gender equality institutional mechanisms as a necessary condition to accelerate the factual women and men equality. Active work is also being done regarding the Directive on gender balance in business leadership, looking for the best solution for all Member States. Mrs Pabedinskienė stressed that economic growth and well-being was impossible without a complete and effective use of women and men talent.

The conference Negotiating Equality - Successful Strategies is dedicated to the closing of the project, launched by the European Trade Union Confederation i and the EC, Reducing the gap: how collective bargaining helps to eliminate the salary inequalities between men and women performing the same work or work of equal value.

During the Conference, the results of four regional seminars as well as a questionnaire of the European Trade Union Confederation’s branches which goal was to identify the examples of good practices in collective agreements and provide knowledge on collective bargaining, social dialogue, and, especially, the level of women salary gap, were presented and discussed.

Representatives of the Lithuanian Trade Union and members of the European Trade Union Confederation Women Committee and Collective Bargaining Committee are also participating in the Conference.