Over 16% pay gap between men and women in Europe

The size of the gender pay gap, or the average difference between women and men's hourly earnings across the EU is 16.2 percent, according to figures released Monday by the European Commission. The pay gap between women and men is still a reality in all EU countries, ranging from 27.3 percent in Estonia to 2.3 percent in Slovenia, noted the report. Today's report shows the biggest problem in fighting the EU pay gap is the practical application of equal pay rules and the lack of legal action brought by women to national courts. "The pay gap is still large and it is not budging. To make things worse: much of the change actually resulted from a decline in men's earnings rather than an increase for women," said EU Commissioner for justice and fundamental rights Viviane Reding. "The principle of equal pay for equal work is written in the EU Treaties since 1957. It is high time that it becomes a reality in the workplace as well, " she said in press statements.