The EU Pay Transparency Directive is set to mandate clearer rules regarding remuneration, aiming to assist businesses in attracting and retaining skilled personnel. According to Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Nataliya Efremova, the implementation of this directive is crucial, particularly given that the gender pay gap in Bulgaria currently exceeds 13% in favor of men, despite existing equal pay legislation. Key provisions of the directive include requiring employers to specify salary ranges in job advertisements and banning the practice of asking candidates about their previous pay.
The objective is to prevent the continuation of existing pay inequalities by establishing objective, gender-neutral criteria for job evaluation, based on skills, effort, responsibilities, and working conditions. Furthermore, the directive guarantees employees the right to information regarding average pay levels within their professional category. The legislation stipulates that if a pay gap exceeding 5% is identified and cannot be justified by objective criteria, employers will be required to implement corrective measures.
A national monitoring body is also planned to analyze data and track trends. Companies with 100 or more employees will be mandated to report on the gender pay gap. Efremova noted that Bulgaria is advancing preparations to incorporate the directive’s main provisions into the Protection against Discrimination Act and the Labour Code.
The overarching goal of the directive is framed as prevention and achieving fairness, rather than solely imposing sanctions. Increased pay transparency is expected to foster a more equitable and competitive labor market, positioning companies that prioritize equality and transparency for a competitive advantage in recruitment.
Topics: #pay #transparency #directive
