Iceland leads the way on closing gender pay gap, UN experts say
GENEVA (18 January 2018) – Iceland is setting the world an example on equal pay for work of equal value which other
States should follow, according to UN human rights experts.
“Iceland is spearheading the fight against gender discrimination with new legislation on equal pay certification,” said
experts from the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the Working Group on the Issue of Discrimination
against Women in Law and in Practice.
“We wholeheartedly welcome this move, which is a much-needed positive development in the global challenge of ending the
gender pay gap. We encourage other States to look at the example Iceland is setting.
“Women who continue to suffer discrimination in the workplace will face a lifetime of income inequality. This is a human
rights issue which affects women in all countries and must be tackled with concrete measures such as this equal pay
certification,” the experts added.
The new Icelandic law requires all companies and institutions with 25 or more staff to obtain an equal pay certificate.
Firms must show that they have classified jobs according to equal value and have then analysed people’s wages
accordingly. The law, which took effect on 1 January 2018, also requires firms to demonstrate that they have formalized
their pay policies and processes.
“This legislation shows the critical role that States can and must play in employing innovative tools to ensure that
businesses respect the human rights of women,” said the experts.
“Iceland’s action is in line with its international human rights obligations and the UN Guiding Principles on Business
and Human Rights. It provides a concrete example of what can be achieved if the political will is there.
“With its new law, Iceland is showing the rest of the world the way forward on gender equality.”
Women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to global figures from the International Labour
Organization and UN Women, and the gap can be much wider if multiple forms of discrimination are involved, such as race,
religion, age, parental status, the burden of unpaid work, and lack of access to education.
The Working Group on Human Rights and Business is currently carrying out consultations as part of a project to develop
practical guidance for both States and businesses on how to protect, and respect the rights of women at work.
The Working Group on Discrimination against Women which visited Iceland in 2013 had highlighted the persistence of
gender pay gap and commended the initiative of equal pay standard certification, then optional.
ENDS