Women in France will effectively “work for free” from 4:48pm on Friday until the end of the year due to the pay gap with men, according to the feminist newsletter Les Glorieuses, which publishes this symbolic countdown each year.
The timing is calculated using European statistics on the gender pay gap, showing that in France, women earn an average of 14 percent less than men.
Last year, when the gap was over 15 percent, Les Glorieuses marked the date at 11:25am on 6 November.
Rebecca Amsellem, founder of Les Glorieuses, said that while this year's gap reflects “an improvement on the margin”, the pay gap could be reduced significantly “by taking inspiration from countries that are champions in this area”.
Amsellem pointed to examples in Sweden, Iceland, and Spain, where policies have proven effective in tackling wage inequality.
Fixing pay inequality
The report suggests solutions, including equal parental leave for both parents as seen in Sweden, and wage increases in female-dominated sectors such as health, education and care, following New Zealand’s example.
In Iceland, companies are required to prove they uphold equal pay practices and present action plans to close pay gaps.
Flexible work arrangements, encouraged in Spain, and pilot regions, like California, to trial these policies are also recommended by Les Glorieuses.
For the newsletter, pay transparency remains “a sine qua non for an effective policy in favour of equal pay”.
