The difference gave rise to the phrase 'a woman's euro is 80 cents' to illustrate the gap between the genders.
Former Employment Ministry conciliator Juhani Salonius wrote the report. The gap had narrowed by just one percent at the end of 2009. The report says this slow progress is down to low pay settlements caused by local and national governments’ debt burden and financial difficulties, as well as uncertainty caused by the global financial crisis.
Salonius believes that labour market organisations have a key role in the drive towards equal pay. Workplaces should take advantage of local pay deals and equal opportunities policies.
In addition, men should take a more active role in family life including taking more paternity leave, to reduce the burden long parental leaves place on women’s career development and salaries.
Labour market organisations say that narrowing the pay gap is difficult, but possible. They promised to move towards a more even distribution of parental leave within families.
