Women across the EU will symbolically start “working for free” from today as the bloc marks the point in the calendar where pay inequality means women earn less on average than men.
With the gender pay gap in the EU at 12%, November 22nd is the date after which women’s work becomes effectively unpaid compared to their male colleagues.
The European Commission took the opportunity to warn that progress in closing the gap remains painfully slow and could take decades at the current pace. The leaders said the issue was not just a question of fairness, but also a problem that undermines economic growth, entrenches poverty and limits the EU’s talent pool.
Despite legal protections and growing public awareness, women continue to face a complex mix of structural, social and discriminatory barriers that depress wages and limit career opportunities. These include occupational segregation, maternity penalties, wage discrimination, cultural expectations and unequal responsibility for unpaid care work.
Officials pointed to persistent gender stereotypes that begin in childhood – with girls more often praised for their looks than their skills and encouraged into nursing jobs that are undervalued and lower paid. It is estimated that around 24% of the gender pay gap is due to this occupational segregation.
A fictional case study widely shared by the Commission illustrates how two equally qualified graduates can quickly differ in terms of salary and seniority. While “Alex” negotiates confidently, advances quickly, and benefits from workplace mentors, “Maria” accepts a lower starting salary, takes maternity leave, switches to part-time work, and accepts unpaid home care—setbacks that compound as life progresses.
Commission leaders warned that this story reflected the lived experience of millions of women in the EU labor market.
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu and Commissioner Lahbib reiterated the EU’s commitment to building a “Union of Equality” and argued that economic resilience requires unlocking women’s full potential. They highlighted recent laws on equal pay, work-life balance, gender balance on corporate boards and pay transparency, which aim to break down barriers and expose unjustified pay gaps.
The commission said closing the pay gap would bring widespread benefits, including higher GDP, increased tax revenues, reduced poverty, more skilled workers and more competitive businesses. It also warned that younger generations might one day look back in disbelief that inequality persisted long after its causes were clearly understood.
