The high level launch of the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) at the UN during the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly will bring together senior Government and UN officials, senior officials from other International Organizations, top business executives and leaders of trade unions and employers’ organizations, civil society and individuals that have been instrumental in promoting and implementing equal pay policies.
To build consensus on EPIC’s draft vision, operational guidelines and resource mobilization strategy;
To increase ownership, support, awareness and greater engagement of governments and other key partners, for EPIC’s strategic vision and key operational modalities.
There will be a reception afterwards for the various actors to meet and discuss these issues in a more informal setting.
The high level launch will be attended by representatives from Member States, UN officials, senior officials from business and workers’ and employers’ organizations, academia, Foundations, media and civil society.
EPIC's Background
In September 2015, a summit of heads of State adopted the Sustainable Development Goals to frame the global development agenda (2030 Agenda) for the next 13 years. Within this framework, a standalone Goal 8 was established calling for the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
EPIC is a strategic multi-stakeholder partnership, which will assist UN Member States in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 8, target 8.5 which calls for full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value by 2030, as well as Goal 5, aimed at achieving gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls. Equal pay for work of equal value is central to the achievement of gender equality and empowering women and is key to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
For further information, please contact: Mr Kevin Cassidy, ILO Senior Communications and External Relations Officer Mr Raphael Crowe, ILO Senior Specialist on Gender, Equality and Diversity Ms Lisa Wong, ILO Senior Specialist on Non-discrimination
