Women in Germany will be able to enjoy cheaper rail travel on Monday. They will be given 21 per cent reduction in fares as part of Germany's Equal Pay Day events. Equal Pay Day is dedicated to raising awareness of gender pay gap. It symbolizes number of additional days woman must work in year to earn what men earn. The exact day differs in each country, depending on pay disparity. It is enthusiastically celebrated in Germany, where women are paid 21 per cent less compared to men in terms of average gross hourly earnings. Berlin's public transport company is reducing cost of its day travel ticket by 21 per cent, charging €5.50 instead of usual €7.00.
Berlin's metro system was wholeheartedly backing its Equal Pay Day initiative. It is advertising it with online ad that vows to actually close gender pay gap. It says: "Gender-specific wage gap. Sounds stupid. Is stupid. We'll close it." Critics of cheaper day pass say it won't necessarily help women as most workers in city buy monthly travel passes. day passes are largely purchased by tourists. Men could find themselves in trouble if they try to buy cheaper day pass. Metro said men found using discounted tickets would be treated like regular fare evaders. Any man caught with day pass will be deemed fare dodger and receive €60 fine.
