Pay Transparency and Fair Pay Initiative

Pay Transparency and Fair Pay in Bermuda

13 April, 2026

Good morning,

For far too long, pay inequality has existed in Bermuda, undermining confidence in how pay is determined across our economy. Despite long‑standing legal protections against discrimination, persistent wage disparities, particularly along racial, gender and nationality lines, continue to affect individuals and families.

Fair pay is not only a matter of equity; it is fundamental to a modern, inclusive, and competitive labour market. When people do not understand how pay is set, or whether it is fair, trust in the workplace erodes.

The principle of equal pay for work of equal value is already recognised in Bermuda’s legal framework. However, as the Government has acknowledged, existing protections are largely reactive. They rely on individuals to raise complaints after harm has already occurred, on difficult to prove grounds of discrimination. This approach is not sufficient to address systemic and often hidden pay inequities.

That is why the Government is advancing a policy proposal to introduce pay transparency legislation in Bermuda. Pay transparency is a proactive tool that shifts the focus from resolving disputes after the fact to preventing unfair pay practices from arising in the first place. It promotes clarity, accountability, and fairness by ensuring that pay decisions are based on objective, non‑discriminatory criteria.

By strengthening transparency around how pay is set, how roles are valued, and how progression occurs, this proposal seeks to close unjustified pay gaps and build greater confidence in Bermuda’s labour market, for workers and employers alike.

At its core, this proposal is grounded in a simple and widely recognised principle: equal pay for work of equal value. This means that workers should receive equal pay when their work is assessed as being of equal value, based on objective criteria such as skills, effort, responsibility, experience, and working conditions.

This principle supports fairness and reflects international labour standards. Importantly, Bermuda’s approach to pay transparency is aligned with the guidance and principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which identifies pay transparency as a key mechanism for realising equal pay for work of equal value.

I will now outline the key features of the pay transparency proposal…

• Mandatory pay transparency and equity policies
  Every employer in Bermuda would be required to develop and maintain a simple written policy on pay transparency and equity. This policy would affirm the employer’s commitment to fair, non‑discriminatory pay practices.

• Clear, objective salary-setting criteria
  Employers would be required to explain how pay is determined, using objective factors such as:

• the nature and responsibilities of the role,

• an employee’s qualifications, and

• relevant skills and experience

• Employee access to pay information
  Employees would have the right to request information about the salary range for their role, promoting openness and reducing uncertainty around pay.

• Restrictions on salary history inquiries
  Employers would no longer be permitted to ask job applicants about their past or current salary during the recruitment process.

• Salary ranges in job advertisements
  All job advertisements would be required to include a salary range, ensuring that applicants understand expected pay before applying.

Of course, transparency must be supported by meaningful oversight.

That is why the proposal includes mechanisms for enforcement and compliance, building on inspection and labour standards frameworks that are already familiar in Bermuda. It also includes strong protections to ensure that workers are not penalised or treated unfairly for exercising their rights or raising concerns about pay.

This combination of transparency, oversight, and protection reflects the ILO’s conclusion that pay transparency is most effective when it is backed by enforcement mechanisms and safeguards against retaliation.

This initiative is not about placing unnecessary burdens on employers. It is about promoting good employment governance, supporting fairness, and creating workplaces that are transparent, trusted, and competitive.

By aligning with international labour standards and tailoring them to Bermuda’s local context, this policy supports a balanced and practical approach to fair pay. Strengthening pay transparency is an important step forward for workers, for employers, and for Bermuda.

We invite members of the public, employers, employees, and industry stakeholders to share their views on the proposed Pay Transparency Policy, as your feedback is essential in helping the Government ensure the legislation is practical, fair, and reflective of Bermuda’s needs. Participants are encouraged to start discussions on any aspect of the proposed Pay Transparency Policy they wish to raise at www.forum.gov.bm.

Thank you.

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Contact Information

Ministry of Economy and Labour

Government Administration Building, 3rd Floor
30 Parliament Street
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda

(441) 294-0660 Send us an email

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