Ireland Misses EU Pay Transparency Deadline, ICTU Estimates €570M Annual Loss for Women
Ireland has missed the June 7 deadline for implementing new EU pay transparency rules, drawing criticism from the ICTU, which estimates a €570 million annual loss for working women. The government plans a phased implementation, citing challenges and delays in European guidance. Business groups express uncertainty, while the department commits to full implementation soon.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has criticized Ireland's delay in implementing new EU pay transparency rules, which were due to come into force on Sunday. The government stated the measures will be phased in, with no penalties for non-compliance initially.
The EU Pay Transparency Directive aims to combat pay discrimination and close the gender pay gap. It requires employers to share salary information, act if their gender pay gap exceeds 5%, provide salary details to job candidates, and prohibits asking about pay history. Existing employees can request pay information to compare their wages with colleagues doing similar work.
ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy said the delay will cost working women over €570 million annually in lost wages, calling it «unacceptable» that employers have an «indefinite free pass on unequal pay.» Business groups, including HR consultancy Peninsula Ireland and Ibec, have expressed anxiety and uncertainty among employers due to a lack of clarity and details from the government regarding the rollout.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality acknowledged the implementation is a challenge for many EU member states, with most not meeting the June 7 deadline. Factors contributing to the delay include European workshops not completing until late September 2025 and employer guidance being published only in late March this year. The department stated that previously enacted gender pay gap legislation covers a large portion of the directive, and work is ongoing to transpose the remaining provisions as soon as possible.