On the occasion of International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, it is the right time to reflect on how close we are to achieving gender equality in the labor market.
A. PAID EMPLOYMENT
Paid employment is governed, both at EU and national level, by the principles of equal opportunities and equal treatment—key aspects of the constitutionally guaranteed principle of equality. However, according to the latest Eurostat data, women in Greece continue to face lower wages than men.
The gender pay gap remains one of the most obvious inequalities, with women earning on average 10.4% less than men for the same work. Meanwhile, the average gap across the EU stands at 12.7%, according to data from the European Parliament and Eurostat (2021).
Currently, Greece does not require the systematic reporting of wage data by gender, which would highlight these pay disparities. This is set to change with the introduction of the EU Pay Transparency Directive into Greek legislation, which must occur by June 2026. From that point forward, employers will be required to report and disclose wage data, including any gender-based pay differences.
B. EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Although Greece has made progress in recent years regarding employment, the country still lags behind in several areas concerning gender participation in the labor market compared to other EU countries.
Specifically, in 2022, Greece had the second-lowest female employment rate in the EU, with 51.2% of women employed compared to 70.3% of men. In contrast, the EU average was 64.9% for women and 74.7% for men.
As a result of low female employment rates, unemployment among women remains disproportionately high. In fact, in 2022, Greece had the largest gender gap in unemployment across the EU, with female unemployment at 16.4% compared to 9.3% for men, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality.
C. LEGAL PROTECTION UNDER GREEK LAW
Greek law provides a broad legal framework to protect gender equality in paid employment—both at the constitutional and legislative level—even though practical discrepancies remain.
C.1. Constitutional Framework
The Greek Constitution, in Articles 4(1), 4(2), and 22(1), establishes the principles of equal opportunity and equal treatment for men and women in matters of employment, as well as protection of motherhood.
C.2. Legislative Framework
Several legislative acts promote gender equality and prohibit discrimination, including:
- Law 4443/2016: Ensures equal treatment regardless of gender identity or characteristics in the fields of employment and occupation, applying to both the public and private sectors, covering access to employment, training, vocational guidance, and professional development.
- Law 4097/2012: Establishes the legal framework for promoting equal treatment for men and women engaged in self-employment.
- Law 3896/2010: Implements the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment in employment, incorporating Directive 2006/54/EC on equal pay for equal work and promoting gender equality in the workplace.
- Law 3769/2009: Provides the legal basis for combating gender discrimination in access to and provision of goods and services.
- Article 142 of Law 3655/2008: Establishes specific provisions for maternity protection.
TOWARD A MORE EQUAL FUTURE
Greece has made notable progress, but labor market inequalities remain a reality. The transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive, the promotion of female employment, and the support of work-life balance are key priorities for the coming years.
Gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it concerns society as a whole. Fair pay, equal access to work, and the elimination of discrimination are essential for economic development, social cohesion, and quality of life. Change won’t come by itself—it requires collective action.
