Congress welcomes today's long awaited announcement by Roderic O"Gorman T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, that he has received Cabinet approval to amend the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill and to introduce the strengthened Bill at Report Stage in Dáil Éireann.
This legislation has been in the system for a number of years and is urgently required to tackle a gender pay gap that stands at 14.4%.
We note the proposed amendments and will also be seeking improvements including the need for inclusion of a formal role for trade union involvement in compiling gender pay gap data and in negotiating action plans to tackle any gaps identified.
There is also no date of commencement indicated and Congress urges the Minister to signal an early introduction of the regulations requiring companies to report.
Gender pay gap reporting is but one part of a much-needed wider strategy to address the gender pay gap. It will not on its own solve the many structural, cultural and policy reasons for the gap, but it is a critical and welcome element.
