Women in Lithuania earn on average 10% less than men, according to the Bank of Lithuania, sparking renewed criticism over the government’s lack of targeted measures to address the gender pay gap.
Bank economist Rokas Budrauskas said the divide was most visible in industries dominated by women, which tended to offer lower salaries than male-dominated sectors. He noted that in June, no age group of working-age women earned more than men of the same age, and the gap narrowed to less than EUR 100 only at age 53.
“The biggest divergence appears around ages 32 to 33, which coincides with the period when the average Lithuanian woman returns from maternity leave,” Budrauskas said.
Data from the state social insurance agency Sodra show the gap is even wider when looking at annual earnings: nearly 13% this year, down slightly from 13.5% last year.
The Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson criticised the government for failing to set strategic goals.
“Horizontal integration of gender equality principles is not enough,” said spokesperson Mintaute Jurkute. “We need vertical plans with specific targets, such as reducing the pay gap or occupational segregation within five years. Right now, the state has none.”
Jurkute also stressed the burden women carried balancing work and care giving.
“Professional segregation explains a large part of this inequality. Women often interrupt their careers for child-rearing or elder care, while men do not. This invisible discrimination needs to be addressed,” she said.
The watchdog has received complaints of unequal pay for equal work, though proving them can be difficult.
“Especially when it comes to work that, they claim, creates equal value – how do you measure that value?” according to Jurkute.
The agency expects progress once the European Union’s pay transparency directive is implemented, requiring employers to disclose salary ranges and report average pay by gender.
By contrast, the State Labour Inspectorate says it has received no complaints of gender-based pay discrimination.
“There is fear of coming forward,” said inspectorate chancellor Sarunas Orlavicius. “Workers worry about losing their jobs. But if there is evidence of discrimination, the employer is the one breaking the law, not the employee.”
Starting next year, all employers in Lithuania will be obliged under EU rules to publish information on average salaries for men and women within the same job category, along with pay ranges. Workers will then be able to challenge disparities. (LRT)