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Norwegian unions have designated Monday 16 November as equal pay day. The unions Unio, LO and YS have calculated that as of this day, Norwegian women and men in female-dominated occupations work for free throughout the year compared to the average salary of Norwegian men.
It remains true that the average monthly salary for women is 87.6% of that of men, as figures from Statistics Norway show. Even with the same length of education, the pay gap is there. The differences are smaller between men and women at a younger age, but the older age groups that are compared increase. Female-dominated occupations have been characterized to a greater extent by lower wages.
– It is a great challenge for society that occupations that are performed mainly by women are valued less than work performed mainly by men. This is despite the fact that education, competency and accountability requirements are comparable, says Unio leader Ragnhild Lied.
It points out that while men obtain work largely in the private sector, women go to the public sector, occupations where there are great challenges with hiring, but which are at the same time important to society.
– It does not make sense to applaud in the long term, if we are going to be able to hire more nurses and teachers, we must pay, says Lied.
