How Iceland is Fighting the Gender Pay Gap - BBC Stories

BBC Stories
28 Feb 201803:41

Summary

TLDRIceland has taken a groundbreaking step by becoming the first country to mandate equal pay through legal measures. Last year, women protested by leaving work early to highlight the 30% pay gap compared to men. The government introduced the Equal Pay Standard, which evaluates job roles to ensure equal compensation for equal work. Early results from pilot programs indicate a positive impact, with many women receiving raises. Starting January, compliance will be required, offering certification for those who meet standards while penalizing non-compliant companies. This initiative represents a significant move towards transparency and equity in the workplace.

Takeaways

  • 📉 Women in Iceland earn nearly 30% less than men on average, highlighting a significant gender pay gap.
  • 🚶‍♀️ In protest against the pay gap, women in Iceland left work early at 2:38 PM, representing 30% of the workday.
  • ⚖️ Iceland has implemented a law requiring companies to provide equal pay, making it the first country to do so.
  • 🌍 The gender pay gap is a global issue, with women worldwide earning just over half of what men make.
  • 👩‍🏫 Women often occupy lower-paid roles, such as teaching and elder care, contributing to the pay disparity.
  • 📊 The Icelandic government introduced the equal pay standard, which evaluates jobs based on various factors like education and responsibility.
  • 🔍 Jobs within a company are analyzed and scored to ensure equal pay for equal value work.
  • ⬆️ At Iceland's customs office, most staff who received pay rises from the review were women, reflecting the positive impact of the new standards.
  • 🏅 Companies that comply with the equal pay standard will receive a certification, while those that do not face fines.
  • 🗣️ Some residents express concerns that mandatory implementation may lead to increased bureaucracy, yet many see the standard as a significant step toward transparency.

Q & A

  • What protest did Icelandic women participate in last year?

    -Icelandic women left work at 2:38 PM to protest against the gender pay gap.

  • What is the average gender pay gap in Iceland?

    -On average, women in Iceland earn nearly 30 percent less than men.

  • How does the pay gap in Iceland compare to the global average?

    -Globally, women are paid just over half as much as men on average.

  • What are some reasons for the gender pay gap?

    -Reasons include women often working in lower-paid jobs, part-time work, or taking time off for children, as well as men receiving higher pay even in similar roles.

  • What is the Equal Pay Standard introduced by the Icelandic government?

    -The Equal Pay Standard requires companies to analyze all jobs to ensure equal pay for equal value, determining pay based on job demands and responsibilities.

  • How does the Equal Pay Standard affect job roles within a company?

    -Each job is scored based on factors like education, physical strain, and mental stress, and if two roles have the same score but different pay, adjustments must be made.

  • What was the outcome of the pilot program at Iceland's customs office?

    -The pilot revealed that a male and female employee in similar roles had equal job value, leading to the female employee receiving a pay rise to match her male counterpart.

  • What certification can companies receive under the Equal Pay Standard?

    -Companies that reduce their gender pay gap can earn a certification logo, indicating they pay equal wages for equal jobs.

  • What penalties do companies face if they do not comply with the Equal Pay Standard?

    -Companies that fail to implement the Equal Pay Standard will be fined.

  • What concerns do some Icelanders have about the mandatory implementation of the Equal Pay Standard?

    -Some believe it could create additional bureaucracy and may not eliminate the gender pay gap entirely, as more men tend to hold better-paid jobs.

Outlines

plate

このセクションは有料ユーザー限定です。 アクセスするには、アップグレードをお願いします。

今すぐアップグレード

Mindmap

plate

このセクションは有料ユーザー限定です。 アクセスするには、アップグレードをお願いします。

今すぐアップグレード

Keywords

plate

このセクションは有料ユーザー限定です。 アクセスするには、アップグレードをお願いします。

今すぐアップグレード

Highlights

plate

このセクションは有料ユーザー限定です。 アクセスするには、アップグレードをお願いします。

今すぐアップグレード

Transcripts

plate

このセクションは有料ユーザー限定です。 アクセスするには、アップグレードをお願いします。

今すぐアップグレード
Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

関連タグ
Gender EqualityIcelandEqual PayWorkplace RightsSocial JusticeWomen EmpowermentPay GapLegislationEmploymentCorporate Standards
英語で要約が必要ですか?