UAE Gender Balance Council & World Bank Host Workshop on Equal Pay for Equal Work

• The World Bank and the UAE Gender Balance Council organized a high-level workshop in Dubai
• "Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value" was the event's central theme
• Intended to advance pay parity in a variety of industries.

With assistance from the World Bank, the UAE Gender Balance Council recently held a high-level workshop called "Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value," which aimed to promote pay equity across industries using useful tactics and resources.

Under the auspices of the UAE Gender Balance Centre of Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, the workshop convened prominent government officials, industry executives, ministry representatives, and international specialists. The workshops covered how to improve on existing policies, examine institutional and legal frameworks, apply job evaluation techniques, and identify effective strategies to close the gender pay gap.

The members investigated how to establish inclusive workplaces where pay equity is a fundamental principle through a series of engaging workshops. The conference emphasized the necessity of conducting an objective review of roles and putting in place systems that ensure all employees, regardless of gender, receive fair compensation.

The UAE has a long history of promoting gender balance, according to Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Gender Balance Council's president and the spouse of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She also noted that in 2019, the UAE became the first country in the region to implement equal pay for men and women in the public sector, and in 2020, the private sector followed suit.

"The foundation of inclusive and sustainable development is the principle of pay equity," Sheikha stated. It takes more than dedication to establish workplaces where men and women are treated equally; it requires ongoing collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The workshop was described as a crucial step in turning the UAE's gender balance ideals into real progress by Mona Al Marri, vice president of the UAE Gender Balance Council. "We are focusing on a national priority that directly affects economic growth and global competitiveness by bringing together government agencies, private companies, and foreign experts," she continued.

The conference also highlighted the contribution of the private sector to reducing the gender pay gap, with businesses swapping best practices and insights. Secretary General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, Mouza Al Suwaidi, underscored the need for strong systems and long-term commitment to driving pay equity. "By working together, we can establish new norms for diverse workplaces and equal opportunity," she said.