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Women in Germany will be able to enjoy cheaper rail travel on Monday. They will be given a 21 per cent reduction in fares as part of Germany's Equal Pay Day events. Equal Pay Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap. It symbolizes the number of additional days a woman must work in a 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 the cost of its day travel ticket by 21 per cent, charging €5.50 instead of the usual €7.00.



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Berlin's metro system was wholeheartedly backing its Equal Pay Day initiative. It is advertising it with an online ad that vows to actually close the gender pay gap. It says: "Gender-specific wage gap. Sounds stupid. Is stupid. We'll close it." Critics of the cheaper day pass say it won't necessarily help women as most workers in the city buy monthly travel passes. The day passes are largely purchased by tourists. Men could find themselves in trouble if they try to buy the cheaper day pass. The Metro said men found using the discounted tickets would be treated like regular fare evaders. Any man caught with the day pass will be deemed a fare dodger and receive a €60 fine.

Sources:

  • https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-family-minister-urges-gender-pay-gap-closure/a-47966578
  • https://www.thelocal.de/20190318/berlin-offers-discounted-transport-tickets-to-women
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/europe/germany-pay-gap-berlin-transit.html

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