BRUSSELS - The Dutch MEP with Curaçao roots, Samira Rafaela, received permission from the European Parliament yesterday to start negotiations on new rules to close the pay gap.
Yesterday, the European Parliament determined its position for negotiations with Member States on legislation to ensure that women and men earn the same for equal work.
Parliament's committees on Women's Rights and Employment, in the draft mandate adopted on March 17, demanded that EU companies with at least 50 employees be required to share information allowing employees to compare their salaries. In this way, an existing pay gap between women and men can be demonstrated within the organization. MEPs also want gender action plans to be adopted at companies with a pay gap of at least 2.5 percent. In addition, a ban on the secrecy of wages is proposed.
Now that the negotiating position has been adopted, the negotiating team, with the D66 MEP, can immediately start talks with the European Council. According to Rafaela, the European member states should not waste time. "Women deserve to be treated and paid better."
The principle of equal pay is enshrined in Article 157 TFEU. Nevertheless, there is a gender pay gap in the EU of about 14 percent. There are significant differences between Member States. The pay gap has narrowed only minimally over the past ten years.