Equal Pay Day, observed on March 6 this year, highlights the stark reality that, on average, women need to work an extra 65 days to match the annual earnings of their male counterparts. Eurostat reports a 17.9 percent gender pay gap in the Czech Republic, marking a concerning increase from its lowest point of 15 percent in 2021.
Recent efforts to close this gap were temporary and non-systemic, impacted by factors such as extraordinary bonuses during the Covid era, tariff adjustments for certain professions, notably in education, and an increase in the minimum wage.
However, a deeper analysis of gender pay disparities within comparable job categories reveals that significant differences remain.
Lenka Simerská, chief manager of Equal Pay, a Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs initiative that advocates for fairness in pay practices, sheds light on the unintentional nature of unequal remuneration, stating:
“More and more employers are interested in actively ensuring fair pay for women and men. It allows them to harness and develop the career potential of all employees more effectively.”
Simerská emphasizes the importance of flexibility as a crucial support for women in the Czech workplace, highlighting the significance of working from home and other hybrid models, including part-time employment.
The Organization of Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR) has advocated for change in Czechia’s corporate culture for 15 years. BPWCR’s flagship project and the culmination of its year-round campaign is the two-day Equal Pay Day international conference. The 15th edition, themed Opportunity, is scheduled for April 11 and 12 in Prague. The event will showcase three dozen speakers and 80 mentors from the Czech Republic and abroad.
