Likelønn

Likelønn, or equal pay, is the principle that individuals performing work of equal value or the same job should receive equal compensation. The concept is central to efforts to close the gender pay gap and promote wage fairness across the labor market.

In Norway, likelønn is supported by the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act (Likestillings- og diskrimineringsloven) and related labor regulations. The law prohibits pay discrimination on the basis of gender and encourages employers to monitor and work toward wage equality. Public guidance and collective agreements often encourage wage audits and transparency in pay practices, with results used to identify and address unjustified differences.

Implementation typically relies on job evaluation systems, market benchmarking, and regular pay reviews to ensure parity for work of equal value. Tools commonly used include comparisons of job content, skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions, as well as internal pay audits and, in many sectors, collective bargaining agreements that include pay equity provisions.

Challenges include occupational segregation, the motherhood penalty, part-time work and career interruptions, and concerns about privacy and data handling. Critics may worry that rigid equality targets could constrain merit-based pay, while supporters argue that transparency reveals bias and drives corrective action. Enforcement relies on labor inspectors, anti-discrimination bodies, and the broader legal framework to promote compliance.

Likelønn is part of broader Nordic and European efforts to promote gender equality in the workplace. Related concepts include gender equality and pay transparency initiatives in various countries, with ongoing policy debates about effective measurement and enforcement.