A central demand at the network meeting was for an ambitious transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive. Participants emphasised that trade unions must play a strong role in its implementation to ensure real progress on closing gender pay gaps.

Union representatives voiced deep concern over the rise of populist and far-right narratives in their respective countries — including within their own memberships. They pledged to work together to counter these regressive trends, particularly the influence of male online personalities who promote anti-equality rhetoric. Citing recent surveys from Nordic countries, the group noted a troubling belief among young men that “equality has gone too far”.

Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s general secretary stressed the need to rethink outreach and organising strategies: “Equal pay, decent jobs, and work-life balance benefit everyone. We must tailor our approaches to young men and young women respectively if we want to build inclusive movements that speak to their realities.”

The meeting also highlighted the importance of inclusive training and upskilling. Participants agreed that future-proofing the workforce requires accessible formats and pathways for all types of workers. “If we don’t ensure that everyone can qualify for the jobs they aspire to, we’re pre-programming inequality,” one delegate warned.

Finally, the group pledged to intensify efforts around gender-sensitive health and occupational safety. Beyond the obvious topics — menstruation, pregnancy, maternity, and menopause — they called for a holistic rethinking of workplaces to better accommodate diverse needs. This includes attention to temperature, lighting, furniture dimensions, and equipment sizing to create truly gender-friendly environments.