Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Austria (Ratification: 1953)

The Committee notes the observations of the Federal Chamber of Labour, which were attached to the Government’s report.

The gender wage gap. Further to its previous observation in which it noted with concern the wide gender wage gap (25.5 per cent in 2007), the Committee notes that, according to Eurostat data, the unadjusted gender wage gap remained at 25.5 per cent in 2010. Recalling that, in its previous report, the Government had indicated a range of causes of this large gender wage gap, the Committee notes with interest the adoption, in June 2010, of the “Gender Equality in the Labour Market” National Action Plan which addresses a number of these issues. Under the National Action Plan, an array of targeted measures will be progressively implemented, including, inter alia, further training programmes for educationally underprivileged women, career counselling and coaching for part-timers, women workers in low-paid sectors and women reintegrating into the labour market after a long career break, and an action programme to provide high-quality childcare support. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the status of implementation of the National Action Plan and on the impact of such measures in narrowing the gender wage gap.

Wage transparency. The Committee notes that two key measures aimed at enhancing pay transparency in undertakings, have been introduced pursuant to the amendments to the Equal Treatment Act of 15 February 2011. Section 9 of this Act provides that vacancy announcements must contain information on the minimum wage applicable to the job position advertised and on the employer’s willingness to pay any additional emoluments, under penalty for non-compliance of a fine of up to €360. Under section 11 of the Act, companies with more than 1,000 employees must prepare and submit to their work councils or, in their absence, to their employees, a biennial wage report providing anonymous data on the average annual income of their women and men workers. The Committee also notes that companies employing 150 workers or more will be included in this measure gradually up until 2014 and that public services are subject to the same reporting obligation. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that pursuant to an amendment to the Vienna Equal Treatment Act (Provincial Law Gazette for Vienna No. 16/2012), the executive municipal councillor for staff members shall present an annual report analysing the income earned by the permanent employees of the municipality of Vienna. Noting that the first wage reports were due on 31 July 2011, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the implementation of the amendments to the Equal Treatment Act, including statistical data on the level of compliance with this statutory requirement, information on sanctions imposed in case of non-compliance, and any actions taken to address gender wage gaps revealed, and the impact thereof. The Committee also asks the Government to provide statistical information on the number of undertakings of 150 employees or less in the country and, if available, on the employment rate in these undertakings disaggregated by sex and by size of undertaking.

Furthermore, the Committee notes the “equal = fair” campaign launched by the Federal Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, with a view to raising awareness of the large gender income gap and to promoting wage transparency. It also notes that, with regard to the dissemination of information on sectoral and local wage levels applicable, a wage calculator was commissioned by the Government and has been available online since October 2011. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the implementation of these measures and on their impact on the reduction of the gender wage gap.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.