EPIC Annual Technical Meeting 2024: Advancing Equal Pay for All
The Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) held its Annual Technical Meeting on December 5-6, 2024, at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, bringing together over 60 experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss research, policies, and tools aimed at addressing gender pay gaps and promoting equal remuneration worldwide. EPIC’s Chair, Rakesh Patry, Director-General of International and Intergovernmental Labour Affairs for the Government of Canada, opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of integrating equal pay considerations into policy frameworks and advancing research dissemination.
Discussions highlighted key findings from recent studies. Jemimah Njuki from UN Women presented insights on gender pay disparities in East and Southern Africa, where the unadjusted pay gap stands at 19%, with factors like occupational segregation and informality contributing to the issue. Emanuela Pozzan from the ILO shared insights from the ILO’s Global Wage Report 2024-25, noting that wage disparities persist across income groups and disproportionately affect women in informal economies and those with disabilities. Valerie Frey from the OECD provided an update on pay transparency laws, revealing that 21 out of 38 OECD member states have implemented reporting mechanisms to address gender pay gaps.
Further discussions explored pay equity tools and intersectional approaches. The ILO’s representatives from ACTRAV and ACT/EMP, Jae-Hee Chang and Rafael Peels, provided updates on pay transparency legislation and its implications for workers' and employers' organizations. They also emphasized the key role of pay transparency legislation under Conventions C100 and C111. Meanwhile, representatives from Australia, Brazil, France, and Chile outlined national strategies to close gender pay gaps, including childcare investments and mandatory pay reporting. Innovative platforms like Canada’s Equi’Vision, France’s Professional Equality Label, and Germany’s digital campaigns were recognized for their effectiveness in engaging employers and workers in pay equity efforts.
The meeting also showcased practical equal pay initiatives. Fair-ON-Pay has certified over 270 companies, demonstrating its impact on pay equity compliance. Switzerland’s Logib tool, which assesses gender pay gaps, is now available globally. WorkVue and the Future of Work Advisory Council are leveraging AI to enhance wage transparency and fair compensation policies. The EQUAL-SALARY certification process continues to expand, helping companies achieve gender and ethnic pay equity through systematic audits.
A key theme was the long-term impact of pay disparities, particularly in retirement. OECD research highlighted that the gender pension gap remains at 23% across member countries, largely driven by lifetime earnings disparities and caregiving responsibilities. In Canada, while social security measures have improved gender equity, challenges persist in private pension contributions and retirement savings, requiring additional policy adjustments.
EPIC members also shared notable advancements in equal pay policies and practices. Ontario, Canada, introduced new statistical audits that increased employer compliance. Australia expanded parental leave and workplace rights, while France and Spain strengthened pay transparency laws and boardroom gender quotas. Czechia and Jordan introduced innovative wage measurement tools, and efforts in Switzerland, Italy, and Spain continued to reinforce equal pay standards.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Patry called for broader engagement across sectors, emphasizing that pay equity is a societal challenge that extends beyond gender. Jemimah Njuki from UN Women highlighted the importance of linking equal pay initiatives with broader economic and social issues, including care work and climate change. Emanuela Pozzan from the ILO stressed the significance of peer-to-peer learning, particularly in engaging more countries from the Global South.
With growing momentum in pay transparency, corporate accountability, and policy reform, 2024 marked another critical step in closing the global gender pay gap. EPIC members were encouraged to continue advocating for equal pay within their networks to ensure sustained progress.