SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
Institutions: Ministry of Labour & Employment | Ministry of Women & Child Development
On 19 September 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), together with the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), convened a global debate on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value to mark International Equal Pay Day. The event brought together governments, employers, unions, and experts to discuss strategies for closing gender wage gaps, reducing unpaid care burdens, and addressing new challenges from automation and AI. Key solutions included stronger wage transparency, institutional pay audits, collective bargaining frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms to embed equal pay norms into national law.
For India, where gender pay disparities persist across formal and informal sectors, these recommendations align with ongoing priorities of the Ministry of Labour & Employment and the Ministry of Women & Child Development. Embedding equal pay principles into labour codes, expanding childcare and maternity support, and sector-specific pay audits could help address entrenched inequalities.
EPICβs global platform reinforces that closing gender pay gaps is not just a labour market issue but an economic and social imperative. For India, alignment with EPIC frameworks can help strengthen domestic wage policies, improve compliance, and promote inclusive growth.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India leverage its engagement with EPIC to design enforceable equal pay frameworks that address wage gaps in both formal and informal labour markets?
Follow the full news here: Global debate highlights pathways to equal pay