Ahead of Statements on International Women’s Day in the Seanad (Wednesday, 4 March), the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is renewing its call on the Government to stand firm against employer lobbying to delay the June deadline for new EU pay transparency rules becoming law.
Adopted in 2023, the Pay Transparency Directive is intended to reduce the gender pay gap. Fifty years after equal pay became a legal right, women working in the Irish labour market today are earning around 90 cents for every euro men earn for each hour worked on average.
Under the directive, employers must start providing pay details to job applicants and interviewers must stop asking about pay history. Employers will no longer be able to stop their staff talking to each other about their pay and employees can request information on how their pay compares to the average paid to colleagues doing the same work or work of equal value.
Reports have emerged of concerted lobbying efforts by employer representatives to push out the June 7 deadline for pay transparency.
Congress President Phil Ní Sheaghdha and General Secretary Owen Reidy have written to Minister for Equality, Norma Foley, warning the Government must stand firm and not mark this International Women’s Day by stepping back from making equal pay a reality.
Commenting, Congress President Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:
“Eleventh hour lobbying from employer representatives should not be allowed to frustrate this important piece of employment equality legislation. Business have had years to prepare for this. Government needs to get on with legislating for pay transparency, or risk fines from Europe and the ire of 1.27 million female employees”.
Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy said:
“If you’re applying for a job, you should be able to know what it pays. Your current pay shouldn’t determine what a future employer is willing to pay you. And, you should be able to be confident you’re getting paid the same as your colleagues doing comparable work. These are the basics for delivering equal pay. But, once again employers are demanding more time to adjust. The Government needs to mark International Women’s Day by standing up for pay equality in our workplaces and committing to pay transparency by its June 7 deadline.”
