Pay secrecy is set to become a thing of the past in Italy. Under new legislation implementing an EU directive on pay transparency, workers will no longer be prohibited from disclosing their salaries, and contractual clauses restricting this right will be explicitly banned.

The measure, expected to be approved in the coming days, aims to strengthen the enforcement of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women. Employees will also gain the right to request and receive, in writing within two months, detailed information on average pay levels - broken down by gender - for workers performing the same role or work of equal value.

The directive introduces a robust enforcement framework. Workers who suffer harm as a result of pay discrimination will be entitled to take legal action against their employer and claim full compensation. The new rules are designed to eliminate both direct and indirect forms of discrimination and will apply to all employers, in both the public and private sectors.

By increasing transparency and accountability, the legislation is expected to play a key role in narrowing pay gaps and strengthening workers’ rights across the Italian labour market.