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September 18 marks International Equal Pay Day, a global call to action to end wage discrimination and to advance fairness, dignity, and equality in the workplace. This day, recognized by the United Nations, highlights the persistent global challenge of unequal pay between women and men for work of equal value.
Did You Know?
- Women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn for work of equal value—with an even wider wage gap for women with children.
- Women are more likely than men to be unemployed worldwide, with wide regional disparities.
- Only 28% of women employed globally have access to paid maternity leave.
- Nearly 65% of people above retirement age without any regular pension are women.
- Women carry out at least two and a half times more unpaid household and care work than men.
Equal Pay as a Human Right
The principle of equal pay is not only a matter of economic justice, but also a fundamental human right. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) affirms that “everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.” Yet, more than seven decades later, the gender pay gap continues to reflect systemic discrimination and structural inequalities that undermine women’s rights and opportunities.
Global Context and Urgency
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), women on average earn nearly 20% less than men worldwide. This disparity is even wider for women of color, migrant workers, and those in precarious employment. The gender pay gap contributes to cycles of poverty, limits women’s economic independence, and weakens the pursuit of sustainable development and social justice.
What Must Be Done?
- At a time when labour markets are weakening, inequalities are widening, and multilateralism faces mounting challenges, our shared message must be stronger than ever: equal pay for work of equal value is a matter of labour and human rights, social justice, and economic resilience, and a strategic priority for building competitive and sustainable enterprises.
- The ILO’s Equal Remuneration Convention (C100) directly addresses the principle of equal pay for men and women for work of equal value. International Labour Standards emphasize the crucial role of workers’ and employers’ organizations in achieving this goal through social dialogue, with freedom of association and collective bargaining at its core.
- Countries must reinforce equal pay for work of equal value as a shared goal that benefits workers, businesses, and society at large. Achieving pay equity is both a human right and a social development imperative.
A Call to Justice and Solidarity
Closing the pay gap is about more than fair wages—it is about dignity, equality, and justice. Governments, employers, and civil society must work together to enforce anti-discrimination laws, ensure pay transparency, and create inclusive policies that empower all workers, regardless of gender.
On this International Equal Pay Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to justice and equality, ensuring that every individual is valued, respected, and compensated fairly for their work.
* Image Description: Women in the health and care sector face a larger gender pay gap than in other economic sectors, earning on average 24 per cent less than their male peers.
PHOTO:ILO