Wages, Equal Pay, and Non-Discrimination

Wages, Equal Pay, and Non-Discrimination
(Arab Trade Union Confederation Educational Platform)

Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to present this lesson on the Arab Trade Union Confederation’s educational platform, which addresses a fundamental topic in the struggle for social justice and workers’ rights: wages, the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, and non-discrimination in pay.

In many countries around the world—including across the Arab region—wage gaps persist, especially between women and men, between national and migrant workers, and among various professional groups performing the same or equivalent work. This form of discrimination is a direct violation of international standards, particularly ILO Convention No. 100, and undermines the principles of equality and fairness in the labor market.

Through this lesson, we aim to:
• Understand the basic right to fair and adequate wages as a core element of decent work.
• Learn about the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, as defined in international labor standards.
• Identify the visible and hidden forms of wage discrimination, and their impact on vulnerable groups.
• Explore the role of trade unions in identifying discrimination, negotiating for fair wages, and integrating equality principles into collective agreements.
• Introduce practical tools and mechanisms to monitor wage gaps, improve pay transparency, and promote wage justice.

The lesson includes training materials, case studies from the region, comparative legal examples, and exercises on wage gap analysis and union strategies to address inequalities.

Wages are not merely a technical matter—they are a reflection of dignity and recognition of the value of work.
Defending fair and equal pay is a trade union, human, and societal responsibility.

Let us approach this lesson with collective and trade union awareness, to build a labor market that is more just, inclusive, and equitable for all.

arArabic