Which country in the world just made it illegal to pay women less than men? Read on for the answer…
New legislation has just been introduced in Iceland that says government agencies and companies with over 25 employees will have to obtain government clarification for their equal-pay policies, and those that fail to demonstrate pay equality will face fines. The possible fines are set at around $500 per day in the current legislation.
Iceland is already leading the way when it comes to gender equality, having been ranked the highest in the world for gender equality by the World Economic Forum for the past nine years. It is the first country to take the fight against the gender pay a step further, requiring companies to proactively get equal pay certification from the government. The law came into effect on Monday 2nd January 2018.
Employers still have the option of rewarding their workers based on experience, performance and other aspects. However, the companies must show that the differences in wages are not due to gender.
The government has committed to closing the gender pay gap by 2023.
Interested to know more about this great Nordic nation? Here’s ten fun facts for starters…
- There’s a volcanic eruption every four years on average.
- Beer remained illegal in Iceland until 1989
- There are no forests in Iceland…
- … or McDonald’s restaurants!
- First names not previously used in Iceland must be approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee
- Iceland is home to one of the world’s oldest democracies; established 930
- In Iceland, owning a pet snake, lizard or turtle is against the law
- The country’s national sport is handball
- Iceland does not have an army, navy or air force
- Mosquitoes do not exist in Iceland