Croatia to require employers to justify pay gaps under new transparency law

The Croatian labour ministry has drafted a law to implement the EU pay‑transparency directive. Employers would have to publish the offered salary or wage range in job ads and, at the latest, before an interview, while they may not inquire about a candidate’s previous earnings.

Companies employing at least 100 workers must regularly report pay data. If comparable positions show a wage difference of five percent or more that cannot be objectively justified, the employer must jointly review the pay structure with employee representatives and take steps to eliminate the gap. Workers would be able to bring a case directly to court, with the burden of proof on the employer to demonstrate that any pay disparity is based on legitimate reasons.