30th July 2025
Minister of State for Small Business, Retail and Employment Alan Dillon has today announced Ireland’s accession to the Equal Pay International Coalition; a multilateral partnership working to reduce the gender pay gap at global, regional and national levels.
Minister Dillon made the announcement on the margins of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting, taking place on 30-31 July in George, South Africa.
Minister Dillon said:
“I am proud to announce that Ireland has officially become a member of the Equal Pay International Coalition. This marks a significant step forward in our commitment, as a nation, in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender, receive equal pay for work of equal value. Aligned with the vision of the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Coalition works to accelerate progress toward this goal, recognising that sustained and collective efforts are needed to close the gender pay gap.”
EPIC is a global initiative that brings together governments, employer and worker organisations, academia, civil society and private sector entities to tackle the gender pay gap through coordinated action. It operates at global, regional and national levels, making it the only coalition of its kind to focus on equal pay.
Gilbert Houngbo, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General, said:
"On behalf of the ILO, I warmly welcome Ireland to the Equal Pay International Coalition. As a co-lead of EPIC, together with UN Women and the OECD, we are pleased to witness the growing momentum behind this global effort to redress pay inequalities. Ireland’s strong legal framework and commitment to social dialogue further strengthen the Coalition. We look forward to Ireland’s active engagement as we work together to advance equal pay for work of equal value everywhere.”
Maíra Lacerda, Head of the Special Advisory Office for International Affairs at the Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil and Chair of EPIC said:
“As the Chair of EPIC, I warmly welcome Ireland to the Coalition. Every new member brings valuable expertise and fresh momentum to our shared mission. Ireland’s longstanding commitment to pay equity and social dialogue strengthens our collective efforts to tackle persistent pay inequalities and promote fairer, more inclusive labour markets. Together, we grow stronger and closer to the goal of equal pay for work of equal value.”
Minister Dillon went on to say:
“As an EPIC member, Ireland will benefit from membership including through access to a wealth of global resources. We will also have the opportunity to exchange best practices with international counterparts and tap into a dynamic network of policy and equality experts. Joining EPIC is a joint initiative between the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, which leads on gender equality and gender pay gap policy. This combined approach is designed to maximise the impact of Ireland’s membership of EPIC.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- The Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) is led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- It is currently the only multi-stakeholder partnership working to reduce the gender pay gap at global, regional and national levels.
- The Coalition's goal is to achieve equal pay for women and men everywhere. EPIC supports governments, employers, workers, and their organisations to make concrete and coordinated progress towards this goal.
- The Coalition comprises 67 members, including government entities from 28 countries, international and national employer and worker organisations, international organisations, academia, civil society organisations, as well as the private sector.
- The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is a member of the Coalition.
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