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International Equal Pay Day is observed every year on 18 September to push for equal pay for women and men doing work of equal value.
The UN General Assembly declared it by resolution 74/142 on 18 December 2019, and it was first observed in 2020.
Worldwide, women earn about 20% less than men, which the UN and ILO trace to informal work, unpaid care work and the 'motherhood penalty'.
In India, equal pay is now governed by the Code on Wages, 2019, in force since 21 November 2025, which replaced the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.
Sets the principle of equal pay for men and women for work of equal value. It is one of the ILO's Fundamental Conventions, and India ratified it in 1958.
A Directive Principle requiring equal pay for equal work for both men and women. It is not enforceable in court on its own.
India's first equal-pay statute. Repealed by Section 69 of the Code on Wages from 21 November 2025.
In force since 21 November 2025. Sections 3 and 4 bar gender discrimination in wages and recruitment. It merged four laws: the Payment of Wages Act 1936, the Minimum Wages Act 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act 1965 and the Equal Remuneration Act 1976.
UN agency for labour standards; co-leads EPIC
UN entity for gender equality; co-leads EPIC
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; co-leads EPIC
ILO adopts Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100)
India ratifies Convention No. 100
India enacts Equal Remuneration Act
EPIC launched at the UN General Assembly
UNGA resolution 74/142 declares International Equal Pay Day
First International Equal Pay Day
Code on Wages, 2019 comes into force; Equal Remuneration Act repealed
GS Paper I > Women's issues; GS Paper II > Labour laws and international institutions
Different jobs judged equal on skill, effort, responsibility and conditions, which must therefore be paid equally.
The pay gap working mothers face compared with men in similar jobs.