Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Slovakia (Ratification: 1993)

Articles 1(b) and 2(2)(a) of the Convention. Work of equal value. Legislation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that, by 7 June 2026, Slovakia is required to transpose into its national legislation Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms. The Government adds that as part of the transposition process, it is possible to consider amending the current definition of work of equal value provided for in section 119a(2) of the Labour Code (“… work of equal value is considered to be work of the same or comparable complexity, responsibility and urgency, which is performed in the same or comparable working conditions and at producing the same or comparable capacity and results of work in employment relationship for the same employer”) in such a way as to ensure full transposition of the Directive. In this respect the Committee recalls that in its 2006 general observation on the Convention, it stressed that: (1) work of equal value includes but goes beyond equal remuneration for “equal”, the “same” or “similar” work, and also encompasses work that is of an entirely different nature; (2) the application of the Convention’s principle is not limited to comparisons between men and women in the same establishment or enterprise; (3) comparing the value of the work which is done in different occupations but which is nevertheless of equal value overall, is essential; and (4) for the purpose of ensuring gender equality in the determination of remuneration, job evaluation methods shall be free from gender bias and classify jobs on the basis of objective factors relating to the jobs to be compared such as skill, effort, responsibilities and working conditions. In light of the upcoming transposition of Directive (EU) 2023/970 into the national legal framework, theCommittee firmly hopes that the Government will seize this opportunity to amend the definition of “work of equal value” provided for in section 119a(2) of the Labour Code. The Committee urges the Government to ensure that, when determining whether two jobs are of equal value, the overall value of the jobs is considered and that the definition allows for jobs of an entirely different nature to be compared free from gender bias and that the comparison goes beyond the same employer. Please provide information on any progress achieved in that regard.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.