The Persistence of Gender-Based Remunerative Differentials in the Italian and European Context

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to deal with the issue of the gender pay gap from a legal and social point of view. Moving from a short overview of the official data on wage differentials, the approach considers the national and European perspective, showing how the topic is closely connected with the persisting discriminations concerning the occupational status of women. In fact, wage differentials affecting women can also be explained by looking at some characteristics such as employment sector, kind of employment contract, career-breaks for family reasons. In the article's final part, the author also examines some good practices against the gender pay gap and the positive role that could be played by collective agreements as  potential tools for change.

Keywords: Labour Law, Women, Gender Pay Gap, European Union.