The Federal Independent Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Ferda Ataman, has criticized the German Federal Government for its inactivity concerning the reform of the Pay Transparency Act. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Ataman stated that the federal government has been aware for nearly three years that it needed to implement new rules regarding pay transparency by June 7th. Due to this inaction, Germany risks facing significant fines during an EU Commission infringement procedure. Ataman added that in almost no other European country do women earn less on average than they do in Germany. She claimed that paying women less for the same or equal work “is wrong and harms Germany’s economic standing”.
Economically, the directive is supported by a majority of businesses. The anti-discrimination commissioner explained that almost 60 percent of surveyed companies view the directive favorably. A clear majority sees the law as an opportunity, arguing that improved salary comparability would simplify their own personnel planning and compensation systems.
According to an EU directive, Germany must take further steps with its Pay Transparency Act to reduce structural differences between men and women salaries.
