UN declares 18 September as International Equal Pay Day
On November 15 2019, the third Committee at the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly adopted resolution (A/C37/74/L.49) proclaiming 18 September as International Equal Pay Day. Introducing the resolution to the committee were Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) members’ Iceland with the support of, Australia, Canada, Germany, Panama, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland. The resolution was co-sponsored by a total of 105 member states. As well as recognising the contribution of workers’ and employers’ organizations, and businesses, the resolution also acknowledged the work and contribution of EPIC to achieving equal pay.
According to Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor “International days like these have proven their worth and served to highlight important issues amongst the general public and governments around the world, and we hope this International Equal Pay day will also be successful in this regard.”
The day calls on UN member states as well as International Organizations, Workers’ and Employer’s Organisations Civil Society including NGOs and the private sector to celebrate Equal Pay Day. The day will galvanise further action towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal 8.5 equal pay for work of equal value.
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