Iceland becomes first country to require proof of equal pay

-

On International Women’s Day, Iceland announced their plans to force companies to pay all employees the same regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexuality or nationality.

The government stated it would introduce a bill in parliament this month that will obligate every company with 25 or more employees to obtain a certificate proving they provide equal pay for work of equal value.
Should the law be passed, it is hoped it will be implemented by 2020 to help work towards the Icelandic governments commitment to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022.
Equality and Social Affairs Minister, Thorsteinn Viglundsson, said:

The time is right to do something radical about this issue.

Equal rights are human rights. We need to make sure that men and women enjoy equal opportunity in the workplace. It is our responsibility to take every measure to achieve that.

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

In October, thousands of Icelandic women walked out of their workplaces in a nationwide strike to protest against earning less than men.

Iceland has been ranked the most gender equal country in the world by the World Economic Forum eight years in a row. Unsurprisingly, this is down to the Icelandic mission for creating an equal society enshrined in law.

However, Icelandic women still earn 14 to 18 per cent less than men, on average, according to the Center for Gender Equality in Iceland.

Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.

Latest news

Russell Cowley: Gen Z – rebuilding workplace culture, break by break

Gen Z workers are taking proper breaks and in doing so, they may be fixing something the rest of us broke.

England’s overnight World Cup clash and 5am pub opening prompt CIPD advice

The CIPD is urging organisations to agree any flexibility before England's 1am World Cup last-16 tie to help minimise disruption at the start of the working week.

Fit for Work: Weekend warrior? You can still reap the health benefits

Weekend exercise can still improve long-term health, even for people who struggle to fit physical activity into the working week.

Superdry co-founder’s victim warns workplace power can silence abuse victims

A survivor's account raises questions about speaking-up cultures and accountability in organisations.
- Advertisement -

UK’s always-on work culture ‘driving employee burnout’

Nearly half of UK workers say they end most working days mentally exhausted as rising workplace pressure leaves employees and managers struggling to switch off.

Andrew Murray on why no two days look alike

A people development leader shares how travel, training and a passion for helping others shape a working day with little room for routine.

Must read

Simon Reichwald: Getting ghosted by talent?

Whether it is reneges, declines or ghosting - businesses now need to work harder than ever to deliver a hiring experience like no other if they want to maximise and retain their incoming talent.

5 ways to make your virtual meetings more productive

Improving the efficacy of virtual meetings is crucial now that they are 'the norm'
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you