THE IMPACT OF EUROPEAN UNION REGULATIONS ON SHAPING PAY EQUALITY IN POLAND

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present the impact of European Union regulations on shaping equal pay for women and men in Poland. It presents the evolution of European regulations, from the introduction of the equal pay principle in the 1957 Treaty of Rome to the latest EU Directive 2023/970 on pay transparency. It discusses the current state of pay inequality based on Eurostat and Central Statistical Office statistics. It analyzes instruments such as mandatory pay transparency, pay gap reporting, and mechanisms for enforcing the right to equal pay, as well as their potential impact on the Polish labor market. It compares the Polish reality with best practices in selected EU countries (including the Nordic countries, France, and Spain) to identify effective solutions for reducing the pay gap. It emphasizes the importance of complementary work-life balance policies and combating sectoral segregation and stereotypes for achieving sustainable gender equality in pay. The conclusions indicate that EU regulations constitute a significant impulse for change in Poland, but their effectiveness depends on proper implementation, enforcement and support with additional social and economic initiatives.