What is work of equal value? Discussion about the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value

The gender pay gap remains a significant marker of gender inequality in the EU and has only changed minimally over the past decade. The European Commission Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 sustains its focus on addressing this challenge at European level, under the theme ‘Thriving in a gender-equal economy’. It commits to tabling binding measures on pay transparency by the end of 2020. 

The concept of ‘work of equal value’ reflects a complexity for policy makers, in a context that encompasses: a segregated labour market, where different sectors of the economy are valued differently; and companies with a diversity of payroll policy and job evaluation systems, where defining which jobs are of the same value is a challenge. Accurately defining and creatively addressing this complexity is central for gender pay gap policy to have an impact, including pay transparency legislation.