The pay gap in Moldova in 2019 was 14.4%, marking the biggest annual financial loss for women during the last six years, of over 14,000 lei. The data were presented by the Partnership for Development Center (PDC) in connection with the Equal Pay Day that is celebrated on February 24.

Alina Andronache, specialist in advocacy and communication at the PDC, in a news conference at IPN said a woman had to work for 36 days more since the start of the year to reach the pay of a man last year. The gender gap in old-age pensions was also significant last year – of 21.6% to the detriment of women, up 4 percentage points on 2019. All these discrepancies lead to enormous financial losses for women.

Natalia Covrig, public policy analyst at the PDC, said an opinion poll carried out among employees last year showed the pays of men are by 25% higher than the pays of women. The pay gap is due to the number of worked hours, the post held at the company or the employer’s profile. These elements advantage men. Even if they are equal, the pay gap on the labor market will be of over 16% as the phenomenon of discrimination of women persists. The salaries of women are lower regardless of the place of work, in the public sector or in the private sector, and regardless of the area of activity.

According to expert in equality and discrimination fighting Andrei Brighidin, development director at East Europe Foundation, the low salary transparency level creates a favorable environment for discriminatory practices at the workplace. The confidentiality of salaries, guaranteed by law, makes the identification of pay discrimination situations difficult. Complaints about the unequal pays cannot be submitted as the employers do not have accurate information about the pay gap. Essential reforms and policies are needed so as to offer equitable opportunities to women and men in labor relations.

The Partnership for Development Center noted that to reduce the gender pay gap, the principle of equal pay for work of equal value should be defined. It is also recommended introducing measures to increase transparency in the pay system.

The Center formulated the conclusions based on data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics.