Source: CNA
Commissioner for Gender Equality, Iosifina Antoniou, in her statement for International Equal Pay Day, highlights the long-standing struggles to achieve equal pay for work of equal value between men and women, noting that the wage gap in Cyprus continues to exist and stands at 9%.
The International Equal Pay Day was established following a decision of the General Assembly of the United Nations, on December 18th, 2019 and it is celebrated every year on September 18th, since 2020, the Commissioner noted.
While the legislative framework is in place, said the Commissioner, the gap has not been eliminated and we should work to find solutions, since laws alone have failed to bring balance
Antoniou stated that the wage gap still exists in the EU and Cyprus, as well. In the EU the wage gap is recorded at 13%, while in Cyprus the last recorded wage gap is below the EU average and is at 9%.
This means that for every €100 a man gains, a woman earns €9 less, the Commissioner explained, clarifying that for migrant and refugee women and women with disabilities the gap is usually larger.
While the legislative framework is in place, said the Commissioner, the gap has not been eliminated and we should work to find solutions, since laws alone have failed to bring balance, starting by acknowledging the gap and highlighting the benefits that will arise from its elimination.
