Though the gender wage gap is not necessarily discriminatory, it does measure to some form of inequalities in the workplace. The gender wage gap is when men and women are paid differently for doing the exact job. Women are noticeably paid less than men in this predicament. Even though the wage gap is an immense topic in the United States, it’s notable that this issue doesn’t only happen in the United States. With each countries individual factors involved in statistics, men earning more money than women doesn’t seem to change.
The United States has tried to take steps towards equal pay amongst women and men but these steps aren’t making any distinct differences. It’s important to discuss how other countries are dealing with the same issues and trying to fix them as well. Transnational feminism comes into play with the issue of gender pay gaps. Transnational feminism can be described as “global” feminism. With such an issue that happens globally as well, transnational feminism seems like a relevant topic. Talking about how other countries are taking actions on similar issues can evoke new ideas in trying to solve the issue. The gender pay gap is something that happens globally and not just nationally.
The United Kingdom has been taking steps towards “closing” the wage gap altogether. Even taking a huge step like forcing companies to realize their information on salaries of employees. Britain hoped that releasing this to the public would make the companies feel “shamed” enough to fix the ways the pay certain employees. With Britain forcing companies to release information, women receiving one quarter less than male co-workers has become a new revelation. Certain companies have been scrutinized for their noticeable differences in paying men and women. For example, some financial companies have paid women 10 cents less than male co-workers. The United Kingdom knows that this action won’t make the issue “vanish.” They also understand that no actions against the wage gap meant that companies wouldn’t be forced to address it.
The United States effort has been noticeably less outstanding than Britain’s efforts. It seems the United States has taken a step backward than Britain’s “foot” forwards. Germany has also taken similar actions against gender pay gaps. A new law was enacted on January 2017, stating that companies with more than 200 employees are forced to reveal salary reports. Though there shouldn’t be a specific number of employees that get to receive information on this issue, it’s still a step in the right direction.
A step that can improve how women are paid, viewed, even respected. It was also revealed that Germany had one of the worst gender pay gap statistics in Europe. With this law enacted, employees have an option to ask employers in how they’re receiving pay compared to another group. Employees may not ask in comparison to another individual but to another group is in fact permitted. This law may be popular and respected by some, it is found to be disliked by companies and employers. They claim that this law is “too complicated, and will just create animosity between co-workers.” Iceland has been praised for their tough laws in fighting against gender pay gaps. The country was ranked number one in being the most gender equal several times. Though the issue hasn’t been fully “detained,” Iceland has been taking incredibly progressive actions against it. The first country to even take such a big step in trying to close the wage gap. Iceland’s government has gone beyond the law of forcing companies to reveal gender pay grades. They’ve implemented a law stating that companies must submit information proving that men and women are being paid the same. Just like Germany, this law was only geared towards larger companies with more employees. Iceland plans to make this law gradually pertain to the smallest businesses as well. The country promised its citizens that the wage gap is completely “closed” by the year 2022.
With the margins becoming smaller each year, there’s no reason to not think that this is a possible thing that could happen. Like stated before, gender pay gaps may not be purposeful but are something that happens today. Each country above has taken steps to try to fix the issues that companies can’t. Germany and Britain created laws that required companies to reveal how women and men are paid differently. Iceland took even further actions than the other two countries. Iceland made a law that forced countries to prove that they were paying all employees the same. All of these countries are fairly different, which shows that this is a problem globally not just nationally. Some countries may be taking steps backward or even 10 steps forwards, either way, it’s notable that it’s not only the United States dealing with such issues.
