The government on Thursday presented an "index of gender equality" to end wage inequality by 2022, a mechanism welcomed by all social partners. On average, the pay gap between posts and equal age between women and men remains 9% in France.

Labor Minister Muriel Pénicaud and Secretary of State for Gender Equality Marlène Schiappa presented an "equality index" on Thursday to combat wage inequalities between women and men.

This index is based on five criteria.

First of all, the elimination of wage gaps between men and women at comparable jobs and ages: the company "must reach 0% gap" to score 40 points. The company will get another 20 points if it offers "the same chance to have an increase for women than for men" .

"The goal is to encourage managers to reward those who deserve it and not just those who ask for it, often men," the ministers said.

Similarly, the employer must offer "the same chance to get promoted" , "to counter the phenomenon of the glass ceiling" , which will earn 15 points.

It will also be necessary for all employees to benefit from salary increases upon their return from maternity leave if increases were granted in their absence, a criterion which also yields 15 points. Finally, last criterion, at least four women out of ten must be in the highest salaries, a criterion that is worth 10 points.

An annual publication of the business index

The company must publish its index every year on its website, as of March 1, 2019, and must "put in place corrective measures" if its score is below 75 points.

"By 2019, companies will have to seize the index equality between women and men. Proud that France innovates with an obligation of result, " insists the minister on his Twitter account.

With the social partners, fully mobilized to finally apply the principle of "equal work, equal pay". By 2019, companies will have to seize the gender equality index. Proud that France innovates by equipping itself with an obligation of result #EgalPro pic.twitter.com/RNO7nMV4Kv

- Muriel Pénicaud (@murielpenicaud) November 22, 2018

If after three years (March 1st, 2022), the situation is not satisfactory, the company will risk a sanction up to 1% of the payroll.

While employers demanded flexibility for smaller companies, the government decided to apply an index with four criteria (merging the two criteria on the chances of increase and promotion) and to give them more time: will have until March 1, 2023 to put in rule.A network of "delegates of the equality" will be able to accompany the companies for the implementation of these measures.

35 pilot companies

Women are paid on average, all jobs combined, 25% less than men. At equal position and age, the gap is 9% while the principle of "equal pay for equal work" has been written into the law for 45 years. At the time of retirement, the gap is 37%.

The method was tested in 35 companies with more than 50 employees and two of the five criteria were tested in 40,000 companies, the Ministry of Labor said.