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Maintaining gender inequality in wages? The case of employer organisations’ and business advocacy groups’ resistance to pay transparency legislation in Finland

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article provides novel insights into a less explored topic: the relationship between the lobbying activities of social partners and business advocacy groups and the development of gender equality policies. The study analyses the process of amending Finnish gender equality legislation to include provisions on pay transparency, focusing on the roles played by social partners and business advocacy groups in shaping the policy. Particular attention is given to the discursive strategies and institutional work employed by these actors to support or, more prominently, oppose the legislation. The findings reveal that while trade unions generally advocate for equal pay initiatives, employer organisations and business advocacy groups consistently resist pay transparency measures through discursive strategies, including defensive institutional work and claims of illegitimacy. These dynamics have significant implications for policy development and the broader advancement of gender equality and equal pay. With the European Union Directive on Pay Transparency adopted in 2023 and requiring implementation within three years, this topic holds considerable relevance across the European Union and beyond.

Source: Critical Social Policy

DOI: 10.1177/02610183251322717

Authors: AURA SIPURA, PAULA KOSKINEN SANDBERG

Institutions: University of Vaasa, Aalto University

Language: English

Topic: Employment, Labor, and Gender Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650