Only three countries have passed into national legislation new EU pay transparency rules by the June 7th deadline, MEPs and trade unions have denounced.
The pay transparency directive, adopted in 2023, seeks to reduce the gender pay gap, the difference in salaries between men and women for the same type of work, as disparities remain across Europe.
The directive sets new obligations for employers, such as guaranteeing a fair and transparent recruitment process, using gender-neutral job descriptions and titles, and informing candidates about pay when they advertise positions or before the interview.
Employers can no longer ask job seekers about their previous salaries, to avoid that past discrimination influences future pay. People will have the right to request information about average pay levels where they work, and contractual clauses that forbid discussing salaries with colleagues are prohibited under the new law.
Discriminated workers can claim compensation.
