THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular point (b) of Article 153(2), in conjunction with point (i) of Article 153(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [OJ C 129, 11.4.2018, p. 44.],

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions [OJ C 164, 8.5.2018, p. 62.],

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure [Position of the European Parliament of 4 April 2019 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 13 June 2019.],

Whereas:

(1) Point (i) of Article 153(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides that the Union is to support and complement the activities of the Member States in the area of equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities and treatment at work.

(2) Equality between men and women is a fundamental principle of the Union. The second subparagraph of Article 3

(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) provides that the Union is to promote equality between women and men. Similarly, Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Charter) requires equality between men and women to be ensured in all areas, including employment, work and pay.