Equal pay for work: UAE, World Bank step up efforts to close gender pay gap

Dubai: The UAE Gender Balance Council, in collaboration with the World Bank, hosted a high-level ‘Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value’ workshop, focused on accelerating practical tools to support pay equity across sectors.

Organised under the UAE Gender Balance Centre of Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, the event brought together senior UAE government officials, private sector leaders, including representatives from the different ministries, and global experts to build on current policy foundations and examine legal and institutional frameworks, job evaluation methodologies, and effective mechanisms to assess and address gender pay gaps.

Through a series of interactive sessions, participants examined legal and institutional frameworks, job evaluation methodologies, and effective mechanisms for identifying and addressing gender pay gaps.

“From the earliest days of our nation, the leadership of the UAE has recognised the essential role of women in shaping our development and future,” Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said.

Sheikha Manal noted that the UAE was the first country in the region to issue legislation on equal pay between men and women in the public sector in 2019, followed by a 2020 law to ensure equal pay for work of equal value in the private sector.
“The principle of pay equity stands at the heart of inclusive and sustainable progress. It reflects the UAE’s steadfast dedication to fairness, opportunity, and empowerment,” Sheikha Manal noted.

She underlined that the core focus remains in supporting workplaces where both women and men are valued fairly and equally.
“Embedding gender balance into the fabric of our national economy requires more than commitment – it requires sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors. Recognising and rewarding contribution, regardless of gender, is essential to building strong communities, successful institutions, and a competitive economy.”
Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said the workshop represents another “important step” in turning the core values of gender balance into tangible progress.

“By fostering a discussion between government, private sector, and global experts, we are collectively advancing a national priority that impacts economic growth and global competitiveness.”

The event aimed to empower employers with practical resources to evaluate roles objectively, ensure fair compensation, and promote continuous improvement.

Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, pointed out that achieving gender pay equity requires effective systems and ongoing commitment across all sectors.
“During the workshop, private sector leaders shared valuable insights and best practices that are making a difference in narrowing the pay gap within their organisations. Together, we can set new benchmarks for inclusive workplaces, fair compensation, and equal opportunity,” she added.

“Implementing pay equity is crucial for creating fair and competitive labour markets,” said Iva Hamel, the World Bank’s Resident Representative to the UAE and Bahrain. “We are committed to providing the necessary tools and guidance to ensure that pay equity is achieved across all sectors in partnership with the UAE Gender Balance Council under the UAE Gender Balance Center for Excellence & Knowledge Exchange. True progress requires both policy reform and practical implementation,” she added.

Key public sector stakeholders that attended the workshop included the UAE Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. They were joined by a broad spectrum of private sector leaders.