Latest update: Implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive has been postponed further

Employer issues

The Government believes that the EU Pay Transparency Directive, as currently drafted, is far too administratively burdensome and therefore risks undermining the goal of promoting gender equality. The Government has therefore announced that it intends to postpone the implementation of the directive and that renegotiations of the directive within the EU, with a focus on simplifying regulations, should be initiated.

The government has been in close dialogue with labor market partners and civil society regarding the challenges posed by the Pay Transparency Directive. In Sweden, there has long been a requirement for employers to take preventive and proactive measures against unjustified pay gaps, including through pay surveys. It is therefore important that new regulations work in harmony with and effectively reinforce the existing system.

– Equal pay is a self-evident and high-priority issue. For these efforts to have a real impact, the regulations must also be effective and work in practice. That is why it is positive that the government has listened to the social partners and recognized the significant administrative burden imposed by the Pay Transparency Directive, says Lisa Eriksson, Deputy Chief Negotiator at TechSverige.

At this time, the government does not intend to submit a bill on the Pay Transparency Directive to the Riksdag. The bill, which was previously expected on March 31, will therefore not be presented. No new timeline has yet been announced.  

“We are closely monitoring developments and keeping our member companies informed on an ongoing basis. We hope that the government will take into account the current pay survey system in Sweden and that our member companies will be given ample time to prepare for upcoming legislative changes,” says Lisa Eriksson.

In the Employer Guide, you can watch our latest webinar on the Pay Transparency Directive, which was held on March 23. Be sure to check techsverige.se/utbildning for upcoming webinars.