Iceland’s Social Minister urges all women to down tools

“I hope that all women will be going,” says Icelandic Minister for Social Affairs and Housing Eygló Harðardóttir, referring to the women’s wage-gap protest planned for 2:38pm today.

“I shall certainly be there!” she confirms.

MORE: Women in Iceland protest gender wage gap today

She admits that the action will have an effect on the operations of the Ministry today. “But I hope that everybody – men and women – will be there. Even though today is about women, it is important to stress that the most important thing is for society as a whole to be aware of the issue of gender wage gaps and to show solidarity.”

Latest figures on wage gaps in Iceland indicate that women stop being paid at 2:38pm, based on a 9-5 working day. This is the reason this time has been chosen for the mass walk-out.