Picture this: two employees, both working at the same company in Malta’s bustling Msida district, sweating under the Mediterranean sun as they clock out at the same time. Yet, one heads home to a bank account significantly fatter than the other’s. Why? Welcome to the wage gap, a stark reality in our little island nation.

The European Commission’s 2020 report on the gender pay gap in Malta paints a clear picture. Women in Malta earn, on average, 13.6% less than men. That’s a significant chunk of change, especially in a country where the minimum wage is €615.42 per month.

But it’s not just about gender. The wage gap is a complex web, with age, education, and even the industry you’re in playing significant roles. According to the National Statistics Office, in 2020, those in the 30-39 age group earned the most, while those aged 15-24 earned the least. And when it comes to education, those with a tertiary degree earned more than those with a lower level of education.

Take a stroll down St. John Street in Valletta, and you’ll see the stark contrast. On one hand, you have the booming tech industry, with companies like Microsoft and Amazon setting up shop, offering competitive salaries. On the other, you have the care sector, where workers, predominantly women, are often underpaid and undervalued.

According to the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, nurses in Malta earn around €1,200 per month, a far cry from the €2,000+ some tech jobs offer. This disparity is not unique to Malta, but it’s a stark reminder of the value we place on different types of work.

Malta’s government has taken steps to address the wage gap. The Equal Opportunities (Amendment) Act, 2016, makes it illegal to pay someone less because of their gender. But enforcement is another story. The Malta Confederation of Workers’ Unions (MCWU) has called for stronger enforcement and more transparency in pay scales.

Meanwhile, initiatives like the ‘Equal Pay Today’ campaign by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) are pushing for more transparency and better enforcement of equal pay laws. And let’s not forget the power of collective bargaining. Unions have been instrumental in negotiating better wages for their members.

But it’s not just about laws and unions. It’s about changing mindsets. It’s about valuing care work as much as tech work. It’s about recognizing that everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, regardless of their gender, age, or the industry they’re in.

, let’s remember the words of Malta’s first female Prime Minister, Miriam Dalli, “Equality is not a favor to be granted, but a right to be respected.” Let’s make sure that right is respected in our paychecks.