Equal Pay Champion Employers Announce

The companies recognized in 2026 as current leaders in reducing pay disparities are: A1 Croatia, Addiko Bank Banja Luka, Addiko Bank Croatia, Atlantic Group, Coca-Cola HBC Croatia, Croatia osiguranje, Franck, Fresenius Kabi, Generali osiguranje, Holcim Croatia, Hrvatski Telekom, JGL, JT International Zagreb, Kaufland Bulgaria FOOD & Co KD, Kaufland Croatia, KONČAR Group, Lesaffre Adriatic, Marlink Cyber, METRO Cash & Carry, Nexe, NOVA TV, Pliva, Podravka, Porsche Croatia, Privredna banka Zagreb, Span, Telemach Croatia and Večernji list.

Equal pay for equal work

The Equal Pay Champion certificate is based on the principle of “equal pay for equal work.” The initiative was launched by SELECTIO Group with the aim of recognizing employers committed to achieving fairness, equality, and inclusion within their organizations. The program places particular emphasis on encouraging an inclusive organizational culture that provides equal opportunities for all employees.

“ Companies that systematically develop inclusive environments and manage talent without gender bias are more resilient, innovative, and successful in the long term. The Equal Pay Champion certificate focuses on assessing the maturity of HR processes that ensure equal opportunities within organizations. Companies that hold this certificate demonstrate through concrete and measurable indicators that they address gender balance systematically and over the long term, which directly contributes to company value and workplace attractiveness,“– explained Ema Buković, Senior Consultant and Equal Pay Champion Project Manager at SELECTIO Group.

Guidelines ahead of new EU Directives

The Equal Pay Champion certificate represents an important step in building transparent pay systems for employers across the region, particularly considering the upcoming regulatory requirements related to pay transparency and pay equality. The EU Pay Transparency Directive is expected to come into force in June this year. According to the directive, the pay gap between women and men performing equal work or work of equal value should not exceed 5%. Data collected in 2026 will serve as the basis for public reporting on pay gaps, which will begin next year.

Equal Pay Champion companies as examples at the European level

Based on the current status of the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive across EU Member States, most countries that have already prepared draft legislation are planning partial transposition, while Croatia is still in the process of developing its own legislative framework. For HR leaders, this does not have to represent only a regulatory challenge but also a strategic opportunity.

„For the past 20 years, we have been working with many of the most successful employers in Croatia on transforming HR management and positioning HR processes at a strategic level of business importance. As a result, most companies holding the Employer Partner certificate already have a level of pay transparency that will be expected from June this year. This year brought a record number of companies applying for the Equal Pay Champion certificate, many of which have made significant progress compared to the previous year. We hope their example will inspire the broader business community in Croatia and across the region,“ added Lara Šubić Šuša, Head of HR Consulting at SELECTIO Group.

SELECTIO Index: Women make up only 23.8% of management board members in Croatia