Igual Remuneración por Trabajo de Igual Valor
Principle of equal pay for men and women performing work of equal value.
Definition
The principle of 'Igual Remuneración por Trabajo de Igual Valor' (Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value) is a cornerstone of Uruguay's broader labor law framework, although the Labor Process Law primarily provides the procedural means for its enforcement. This principle mandates that employers must provide equal pay to men and women who perform jobs that, while perhaps not identical, are considered to be of equivalent value based on objective criteria such as skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. Uruguay's Ley N° 19.580, Article 23, explicitly mandates this principle, prohibiting wage discrimination based on gender. The Labor Process Law facilitates the judicial pursuit of claims where this principle is violated, ensuring that workers have a mechanism to seek redress for pay discrimination.