The law on equal pay for men and women for the same work will take effect this week (June 7). At the same time, the so-called “wage secrecy” rule is being abolished. Not only the public sector but also private companies must adapt to these changes.
Large companies will be required to regularly report to the government on average wages broken down by gender. If the wage gap between men and women exceeds 5%, they must justify it. Labor Minister Erik Tomáš. “This is a historic milestone for working women in Slovakia. Finally, after many years of unfair pay between men and women, this injustice has been eliminated.”
The introduction of these new rules was mandated for Slovakia by European Union regulations. Martin Hošták, Secretary General of the Republic Union of Employers, does not consider this ideal.
“The implementation of this directive will absolutely not resolve the issue of pay in practice, nor will it ensure an increase in positions for one gender or the other. We already have the principle of equal pay for equal work enshrined in the Labor Code today.”
Martin Slocík works in primary agricultural production near Lučenec and has 35 employees. According to him, his cooperative should be able to manage the transition to the new conditions without major difficulties.
“We have job positions, particularly for animal caretakers and zootechnicians, where both men and women work; the pay and compensation conditions are equal.”
In the event of a discrimination dispute, the employer will have to prove in court that no discrimination occurred.
Source: STVR
