UK Equality Watchdog Backs Legal Right for Workers to Know Colleagues' Salaries

The UK's equality watchdog has called for a legal right for employees to know what their co-workers earn, arguing that pay transparency is essential to close the gender and ethnicity pay gaps. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) says that without access to salary information, workers cannot effectively challenge unequal pay. The recommendation comes amid growing pressure on employers to publish pay data and follows similar moves in other countries. The EHRC believes that transparency will encourage fairer pay practices and reduce discrimination. It is now up to the government to decide whether to introduce legislation. If enacted, the change could affect millions of workers across the UK and force companies to be more open about pay scales. The watchdog says the move would particularly benefit women and ethnic minorities, who often face pay disparities. Employers, however, may resist the change, citing privacy concerns. The debate is likely to intensify as the government considers its response.