Pay Transparency: a compromise protecting SMEs and collective bargaining is needed

On 5 April 2022, the European Parliament plenary approved the mandate of the EMPL and FEMM committees of the European Parliament to negotiate with the Council on the proposal for a Directive on Pay Transparency.

Therefore, it is now time for the European Parliament and the Council to find an agreement in the trilogue negotiations.

HOTREC’s main priorities, as a compromise, include respecting national legislation and collective agreements; applying the principle of “equal work and work of equal value” when there is a minimum number of comparators available; and exempting SMEs from reporting and joint pay assessments.

HOTREC believes, nevertheless, that the right way to overcome the gender pay gap, would be through the improvement of quality and availability of childcare facilities, as well as facilities for the elderly; and by the promotion of education programmes fighting gender stereotypes and changing mindsets since an early age.