Article 23 - Equality between women and men
Key facts of the case:
Request for a preliminary ruling from the Watford Employment Tribunal. Reference for a preliminary ruling – Social policy – Equal pay for male and female workers – Article 157 TFEU – Direct effect – Concept of ‘work of equal value’ – Claims seeking equal pay for work of equal value – Single source – Workers of different sex having the same employer – Different establishments – Comparison.
Outcome of the case:
On those grounds, the Court (Second Chamber) hereby rules:
Article 157 TFEU must be interpreted as having direct effect in proceedings between individuals in which failure to observe the principle of equal pay for male and female workers for ‘work of equal value ’, as referred to in that article, is pleaded.
34) Moreover, it should be pointed out, first, that, in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 3(3) TEU, the European Union is to promote, inter alia, equality between men and women. Second, Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states that equality between women and men must be ensured in all areas, including employment, work and pay.
