Despite the progress of recent years, gender inequalities remain present in the Balearic labour market. The latest data show that women continue to record lower activity and employment rates than men, are more likely to be concentrated in part-time employment and overwhelmingly take on caring responsibilities, factors that shape their professional development.

In addition, 38.1% of people in long-term unemployment in the Balearic Islands are women, a group that is particularly vulnerable from the age of 45 onwards. Added to this is a gender pay gap that still stands at around 8%, mainly linked to occupational segregation and the difficulties women face in accessing positions of responsibility and decision-making, according to data from the Balearic Government.

Plan for Equality in the Workplace

In response to this reality, the Government has signed the Plan for Equality in the Workplace (PIAL), a strategic instrument designed to move towards real and effective equality throughout the entire working life cycle. This project has the backing of the main social and economic partners: UGT Illes Balears, CCOO Illes Balears, CAEB and PIMEB, as well as the Balearic Institute for Women (IBDONA).

The PIAL treats equality as a key element of institutional quality, social cohesion and economic progress. Although it recognises the positive evolution of women’s participation in the labour market in the Balearic Islands, it underlines the need to address the structural inequalities that still persist in the labour market.

The Plan for Equality in the Workplace is structured as follows:

Five strategic pillars:

  • Equality in access to employment and in career pathways, to guarantee the same opportunities from entry into the labour market through to promotion.

  • Equality within companies, by promoting and ensuring the effective implementation of equality plans.

  • Responsible public procurement, used as a tool to encourage fairer and more equal working conditions.

  • A gender perspective in occupational health and safety, incorporating the different and specific needs of women and men.

  • Economic empowerment and leadership, promoting women’s participation and access to positions of responsibility.

Cross-cutting pillar:

  • Monitoring, evaluation and oversight, aimed at ensuring effectiveness, coherence and continuous improvement across all the plan’s actions.

With this plan, the Government aims to reduce existing gaps, break the glass ceiling and place work–life balance at the centre to ensure equal opportunities for women and men in the workplace.