The average European woman works 59 days a year 'for free'. That is according to a new European Union study comparing pay for men and women who do the same job.
The research says women still earn an average of 16.2% less than men for doing the same work.
In Ireland, women earn an average of 13.9% less than their male counterparts.
The report says the impact of the gender pay gap means that women earn less over their lifetimes, which results in lower pensions and a risk of poverty in old age.
In 2011, 23% of women aged 65 and over were at risk of poverty, compared to 17% of men.
THe EU says it is working to close the pay gap as a matter of priority.
"Closing the gender pay gap has long been a priority for the EU. The EU's pledge to close the gap dates back to the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Today a legal basis for EU action exists under the Treaty of Lisbon, together with the commitment to gender equality found in the Charter of Fundamental Rights" it said.
"EU action goes beyond legislation though. It also seeks to change attitudes to gender roles – in schools, in the home, in the workplace and in society in general" it added.
