Protection of Workers' Rights against Wage Discrimination: The Experience of the European Union

The article examines the establishment and enforcement of the principle of equal pay for equal work both in the Russian Federation and in several European countries, including at the supranational level within the European Union (EU). EU Directive 2023/970 of May 10, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the EU Directive) is aimed at enhancing transparency in the development of pay systems and enforcement mechanisms, with the primary goal of ensuring gender equality in guaranteeing equal pay and eliminating frequent forms of discrimination. The paper provides a critical assessment of the criteria introduced by the EU Directive that are used to compare the value of one worker’s labor with that of another. In addition to empowering workers with effective means to pressure employers, the EU Directive imposes additional responsibilities on employers, such as preparing and submitting reports, and on the state that is obliged to establish special bodies (commissions) to process these reports and respond to them.