EU pay-transparency directive sparks debate over new reporting rules in Norway
Norway is preparing to adopt an EU directive that would let employees see average salaries by gender and impose fresh reporting duties on firms, prompting mixed reactions from labour groups.
An EU directive on pay transparency is set to be incorporated into Norwegian law, giving employees the ability to access average wages for comparable positions, separated by gender, and obliging firms to report specific salary figures. The aim is to narrow the gender pay gap. LO’s specialist adviser Linn Andersen praised the proposal, noting it will curb discriminatory pay practices and aid candidates in understanding salary expectations without revealing personal histories.
In contrast, NHO’s director Anne Louise Aartun Bye expressed skepticism, pointing to recent expansions of Norway’s own reporting obligations and cautioning against duplicate requirements. The government has invited labour-market parties to a reference group, with its first meeting slated for 2026, while the Ministry of Culture and Equality and the child-welfare agency Bufdir will conduct legal assessments. Legal experts warn that compliance may entail significant costs for some firms, urging early preparation.
Why it matters
The rule could reshape salary negotiations and impact gender pay equity across Norwegian workplaces.
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