Gender pay gap at 10.4% in Cyprus

The gender pay gap in Cyprus amounts to 10.4% compared with the 16% of the EU average, the Cyprus Committee on Gender Equality has said.

In a message on the occasion of the Equal Pay day between men and women, on February 7, the Committee said the gender pay gap, represents the gap between the average pay of men and average pay of women in the economy.

According to a press release, the gender pay gap in the EU of 16% means that a woman is paid €84 compared to €100 salary for man.
 
The Committee says that the gap does not represent an index of the general gender equality as it relates only to the labour force and does not reflect women’s different working standards. The pay gap does not take into account the ratio of women with low expertise, of unskilled women, while high pay gender pay gap indicates a labour market with significant gender occupational segregation such as Cyprus or in which a significant part of women has part-time employment.
 
The committee also says that research has shown that actions by social partners contribute to the reduction of gender pay gap, such as legislative interventions, enhancing monitoring mechanisms and other indirect initiatives which have to do with supporting employment in women and reconciling professional and family life and gender quality in general.
 
Through various actions, such as discussion forums, seminars and informative bulletins the committee is raising awareness among employees and employers, students and society as whole.
 
The Committee said it aims through a continuous effort to contribute in consolidating a working culture free from direct and indirect discrimination which is reflected in the national policy as well as collective conventions.