The principle of equal pay between the sexes – i.e. the principle that equal wages must be paid for equal and equivalent work – has become increasingly enforceable by law. The European Union Pay Transparency Directive (EU) 2023/970 came into force on 06 June 2023, and member states must implement the directive into national law by 07 June 2026.
With this directive, the European Union aims to reduce the gender pay gap across the EU and ensure that equal wages are paid for equal or equivalent work according to objective and gender-neutral criteria. One of the aims of the EU Pay Transparency Directive is to simplify the judicial enforcement of equal pay. According to Article 18(1) of the Directive, it is sufficient for an employee to present facts that indicate the existence of direct or indirect discrimination.
