Bid to target gender-wage gap states

Date: 11/10/01

EU countries which fail to plug the pay gap between men and women will be 'named and shamed' as part of a new get-tough policy.

The move follows the release of figures which show huge differences in the Euro pay league between the sexes.

There are only four countries - Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and Sweden - where women's earnings are more than 85 of men's, according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical agency.

Now DG Employment is calling on member states to help close the gender pay gap, or face being named and shamed. Commission employment and social affairs spokesman Andrew Fielding says those countries found to be "dragging their feet" will be targeted.

Currently, the biggest difference in salaries between men and women are in Portugal, Greece, Ireland and the Netherlands.

EU countries which fail to plug the pay gap between men and women will be 'named and shamed' as part of a new get-tough policy.