[Belgium] Minister announces fines for companies paying men more than women

Earlier this month in Belgium, in the wake of International Women’s Day, the Flemish government approved a partial implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive, Employment Law Worldview reports.

The bulk of the transposition work has yet to be done by the federal government and the social partners in the National Labour Council. However, the three regions in Belgium also have (limited) powers in this matter. 

These powers reportedly include the authority to impose sanctions on companies that fail to comply with obligations imposed by the Directive.

According to Caroline Gennez - the Flemish Minister for Equal Opportunities - women in Belgium, on average, earn seven per cent less than their male counterparts. 

European data suggests a smaller gap, but numbers vary across sectors. Within the limits of her powers, the Minister addressed this matter by issuing a draft decree which was approved by the Flemish government on March 13. 

The Minister said, “Equal pay for equal work is only logical, and it’s the foundation for a more equal and fairer society. Women are still paid less for the same work. Employers get away with this far too often. That has to stop. Pay transparency is important, and employers who refuse to disclose pay information and deliberately discriminate should be punished with fines.”

The draft decree reportedly imposes criminal or administrative fines (their amount has not been disclosed) on companies that fail to comply with their pay transparency obligations.

The decree must now be voted on in the Flemish Parliament.

Source: Employment Law Worldview

(Quote via original reporting)

Earlier this month in Belgium, in the wake of International Women’s Day, the Flemish government approved a partial implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive, Employment Law Worldview reports.

The bulk of the transposition work has yet to be done by the federal government and the social partners in the National Labour Council. However, the three regions in Belgium also have (limited) powers in this matter. 

These powers reportedly include the authority to impose sanctions on companies that fail to comply with obligations imposed by the Directive.

According to Caroline Gennez - the Flemish Minister for Equal Opportunities - women in Belgium, on average, earn seven per cent less than their male counterparts. 

European data suggests a smaller gap, but numbers vary across sectors. Within the limits of her powers, the Minister addressed this matter by issuing a draft decree which was approved by the Flemish government on March 13. 

The Minister said, “Equal pay for equal work is only logical, and it’s the foundation for a more equal and fairer society. Women are still paid less for the same work. Employers get away with this far too often. That has to stop. Pay transparency is important, and employers who refuse to disclose pay information and deliberately discriminate should be punished with fines.”

The draft decree reportedly imposes criminal or administrative fines (their amount has not been disclosed) on companies that fail to comply with their pay transparency obligations.

The decree must now be voted on in the Flemish Parliament.

Source: Employment Law Worldview

(Quote via original reporting)