Augulis: causes behind the gender gap in pensions needs to be analysed in depth

On 20 January the Latvian Minister for Welfare Mr Uldis Augulis introduced the priorities and the programme of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the area of gender equality to the Members of the European Parliament at the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM).

The Minister emphasized the importance of promoting equal opportunities for men and women in all areas of life, including employment, social policy and health, as well as within the context of the development cooperation policy.

"Within the context of equal opportunities, the Latvian Presidency emphasises the importance of inclusive and sustainable labour market participation. This is important both now when the economies of the European countries start recovering, as well as on a broader scale, in particular, as a contribution to the development of a democratic society respecting human rights. In the real life this concept is clearly seen in the employment opportunities of women which are of special importance for ensuring the public welfare and in fighting the gender inequality," emphasised U.Augulis.

He pointed out that the employment of women aged between 20 and 64 years in the EU is on average 12 percentage points below the employment of men. This confirms that the presence of women in the labour market is still insufficient. The major obstacles that influence this situation include restricted access to care services for children and dependant family members. Thus, there are insufficient possibilities for reconciling work and family life. This is important for both parents, in particular, focusing on the increased role and involvement of men. The Latvian Presidency intends to address the issue of the participation of women in the labour market in the Council Conclusions regarding inclusive labour markets.

The gender pay gap, where the EU mean index is 16%, and the insufficient involvement of women in the labour market have serious and far-reaching consequences. Therefore the Latvian Presidency will focus on an issue which has not received as much attention as pay gap until now, and, in particular, it is the gender gap in pensions, U. Augulis explained.

"I am convinced that the Latvian Presidency will succeed with preparing high quality Council Conclusions regarding the gender gap in pensions. Even if short-term improvements in the situation cannot be expected, it is important to be aware that lifetime decisions have far-reaching consequences. If these consequences have more impact on one gender than on the other, this means that solutions need to be found for eliminating this. This applies to stereotypes regarding the choice of education and career, the pay gap, insufficient possibilities for reconciling work and family life, career interruptions due to undertaking care obligations," emphasised the Minister.

According to the data, the gender gap in pensions is considerable. Although situations differ in the EU Member States, generally the pensions of women in the EU are 38% below the pensions of men. The Latvian Presidency will prepare the Council Conclusions regarding the gender gap in pensions. The Minister emphasised that the Presidency would focus on the causes behind the gap and their elimination, in order to promote gender equality and reconciliation of work and family life and to minimise old-age poverty. U.Augulis considers that these Council Conclusions will initiate broader discussion about the olg-age pension adequacy regarding which the European Commission is currently developing a report.

The Minister expressed his conviction that the promotion of equal opportunities was also the EU mission in the foreign policy. Focusing on the development cooperation policy, the gender equality issues are a high priority on the agenda of the Latvian Presidency. Following the practice of the preceding presidencies, Latvia will assure the presence of the EU at the 59th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March of 2015.

At the conclusion of the FEMM plenary meeting the Minister invited the Committee to visit Riga in February this year.