ESG / Sustainability

06.03.2024

Mind the Gender Pay Gap and Take Action Now!

WeAreOpen, in collaboration with Team Sweden in Hungary, launched a Women’s Day Action Plan for companies on how to Close the Pay Gap in the frame of an interactive workshop.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of gender economic inequality and provide companies with concrete proposals for equal pay.

Although the principle of equal pay for equal work was introduced in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, the gender pay gap remains a challenge in Europe. While the EU average has been slowly but steadily decreasing – from 17.4% in 2012 to 13.5% in 2021 – the gender pay gap in Hungary has tended to fluctuate: according to EU data, it was 19.1% in 2002 and 17.5% in 2022 (the lowest in 2015 and 2016, at 14%). Put simply, this means that, for the same work, women earn on average less than men per hour.

In response to this phenomenon, We Are Open, together with the Embassy of Sweden and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary, presented a document that offers companies an action plan to close the gender pay gap.

“Closing the pay gap can increase efficiency and productivity in the long term, as people are more motivated to work, can perform better professionally, and feel better about themselves when they see that they are paid fairly and equally and have equal opportunities for promotion within the company. On the other hand, the legislative environment also puts pressure on firms. The EU Equal Pay Directive must be transposed into national law by the summer of 2026. After that, companies will have to report on the pay gap. Thirdly, there is a moral argument, and that is that we have the opportunity in the 21st century to review social constructs that have led to structural inequality,” said Nóra Várady, CEO of WeAreOpen.

In the action plan, the organization outlines specific steps to reduce the pay gap, including:

  • ensuring a transparent salary and benefits system
  • pay scales in job advertisements
  • the introduction of flexible working arrangements for family workers and consideration of the introduction of paternity leave
  • the introduction of programs to remove the glass ceiling and support female talent, as well as gender equality measures in early promotions
  • developing inclusive recruitment processes, for example by making information on family allowances available in job advertisements, or structuring interview questions to ensure that professional rather than family planning aspects are taken into account in an interview, irrespective of gender.

“Changing the situation is not easy and awareness of the problem needs to be raised by business leaders, legislators, educators, and many others. Society needs to understand that there is no such thing as ‘female jobs’, or ‘male jobs’. Reducing the pay gap will stimulate the economy as women will have more resources to spend which would increase the gross domestic product. So, a win-win situation for people, the economy, and society! “- said Diana Madunic, Sweden’s Ambassador to Hungary,

You can find a short report on the topic on here.

The photo gallery presents the atmosphere of the event and the workshop well.

28.03.2023

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Leadership Brunch with the Embassy of Sweden, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary and WeAreOpen

Sweden ranks first in the EU Gender Equality Index and many Swedish companies work actively to ensure diversity and gender equality at the workplace.

The most important takeaways of the event include the need for cooperation to share company best practices and what businesses can learn from each other. Furthermore, our guests discussed why diversity and gender equality makes business sense and creates value and purpose that can uplift diverse workforce. This mindset leads to innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunities.

Please find agenda here.

We strongly recommend to watch this film – produced by Essity (Zewa) to the Hungary market – that highlights the bases of equality.

If you missed the event, feel free to check out the photos and our social media platforms.

17.10.2022

Sustainability Highlights 2022

Join us for the launching event of the Swedish Sustainability Highlights brochure!
Get insights and expert opinions on two actual topics within sustainability from Sweden and Hungary:

  • Greenwashing: green or greenwashed?
  • Environmental, Social and Governance, ESG: a “nice to have” or a “must”?

Networking, keynote lectures and interactive panel discussions in a forward looking event with companies & Swedish and Hungarian sustainability experts.

AGENDA OF THE EVENT

PRESS RELEASE OF THE EVENT

PHOTOS OF THE EVENT

06.04.2022

E-mobility – revolution or evolution?

Join us for exciting insights and expert opinions on the trends and development  plans of e mobility infrastructure in  Sweden and Hungary.

Networking, keynote lectures and an  interactive panel discussion in a forward looking workshop with companies  Swedish and Hungarian e-mobility  experts.

AGENDA OF THE EVENT

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT

2021 – 2022

Sustainable Companies – Campaign

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary has started a Social Media Campaign to communicate the different approaches and aspects of sustainability at Swedish companies.

18 posts 21000+ impressions in social media so far.

The campaign gives extra visibility for the member companies to communicate their commitments, activities and positive stories.

 

22.04.2021

CSR & SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming an integral part of doing business and can often be a competitive advantage.

  • What is an effective CSR program?
  • How can it be incorporated into company strategy to be a benefit and not a cost?
  • How can CSR create sustainable value to the company and society?

Get in touch

+36 30 456 3713

swedishchamber@swedishchamber.hu

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