How Iceland is Fighting the Gender Pay Gap - BBC Stories

Summary

Iceland 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.