Today is international women’s day, and one of the biggest topics of debate is equal pay for equal work. Well, Iceland is about to take steps to make sure that becomes less of a concern in the small European country. Today, the Icelandic government announced that it will introduce a law that will require all companies with 25 employees or more be able to prove that they practice pay equality.

Iceland is hoping that this measure will eliminate the pay gap in the country by 2022. And it’s not just about the gender pay gap. The law mandates that public and private companies pay employees equally “regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or nationality.”

Icelandic Equality and Social Affairs Minister Thorsteinn Viglundsson says that it’s time that the country do something “radical” about the issue. He stated: “Equal rights are human rights. We need to make sure that men and women enjoy equal opportunity in the workplace. It is our responsibility to take every measure to achieve that.”

The proposed law has received some criticism–mostly concerns that it will become burdensome for companies and slow down the pace of business, as it requires that any company with over 25 employees obtain a certificate from the government.

There are a lot of arguments about how large the gender pay gap actually is in individual countries. Iceland is often cited as one of the best nations for equality, but according to a study from Expert Market, a UK-based data firm, Icelandic women earn 14 percent less than their male counterparts. In October 2016, Icelandic women protested the pay gap by walking out of work.

Way to go women of Iceland! Yesterday they protested 14% pay gap by leaving 14% early from work at 2:38pm! https://t.co/fGE9zByatE pic.twitter.com/fx1xjuJznI

— Women Thrive (@WomenThrive) October 26, 2016

Certain nations have policies that involve equal pay certificates. And in Minnesota, “certain contractors must provide equal pay certificates in order to conduct business with the State of Minnesota or certain governmental agencies.” But Iceland is believed to be the first nation to try to implement a law that mandates proof of equal pay.

Iceland is a very small country, so if this measure succeeds it may not be too useful of a model for other nations. But it’s nice to see a country making an effort to advocate for equal pay. After all, we still live in a world where op-eds are published about how women shouldn’t be paid equally. So, carry on, Iceland, and happy International Women’s Day!

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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It can be hard to focus on things other than the election results right now, but there are already speculations brewing about who will run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Senator Cory Booker is a popular choice for many Democrats. The 47-year-old New Jersey lawmaker has become famous for rescuing things–and people. He saved a freezing dog, let people who lost power during Hurricane Sandy hang out at his home, saved a woman from a burning house, and bounced around town shoveling snow from people’s driveways after the Snowpocalypse of 2010. Booker was the mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. He is also known for his pretty decent sense of humor:

Sir, it looks like you live in Dublin, Ireland. I’ve got 99 problems & your ditch ain’t one MT @leedalyire Can u sort the pothole outside?

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 5, 2012

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is also a favorite. She’s a strong woman, very anti-Wall Street, and has an impressive resume. She was by Hillary Clinton’s side during the 2016 campaign, standing up to Trump. One potential downside: her age. She would 71 in 2020, and if she won she would be the oldest president ever elected. Trump currently holds that distinction, at 70.

Elizabeth Warren announces her 2020 presidential campaign in 3…2…

— Matt Viser (@mviser) November 9, 2016

Queens-born New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is popular in the city for positioning himself as a progressive Democrat, with some of the same positions as Senator Bernie Sanders, such as pushing for a $15 minimum wage and being strongly pro-gay marriage. His long-time girlfriend happens to be television star, chef, and author Sandra Lee, and she would be a pretty cool First Lady.

Andrew Cuomo should run for President only because Sandra Lee could figure out a way to put vodka in her First Lady cookie recipe

— Erin Gloria Ryan (@morninggloria) August 23, 2016

Hillary’s running mate Senator Tim Kaine, of Virginia, impressed many Hispanic voters when he delivered speeches in Spanish in Phoenix and Miami. He was the first ever candidate on a presidential ticket to do so. In the political world he is relatively young at 58, but has a long political career behind him, having served as mayor of Richmond, chair of the DNC, and U.S. Senator.

Watch @TimKaine make history. He’s the first candidate to deliver a presidential campaign speech entirely in Spanish. pic.twitter.com/WsjfXm5uco

— MoveOn.org (@MoveOn) November 5, 2016

The weirdest celebrity who is being talked about as a future presidential candidate is, of course, Kanye West. Since the rapper, reality star, and Kim Kardashian’s husband mentioned running for president at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2015, his fans have taken him somewhat seriously and urged him on…although it’s unclear if he was actually being serious or not. But earlier this year it seemed as if he actually was, when he told BBC: “I don’t have views on politics, I just have a view on humanity, on people, on the truth. If there is anything that I can do with my time and my day to somehow make a difference while I’m alive, I’m going to try to do it.”

I WOULD HONESTLY BE HAPPIER WITH KANYE WEST #kanye2020

— Sydney Fleischman (@MsSydneyCupcake) November 9, 2016

There’s only one man who can save us now #kanye2020 #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/C9b4tPJGZF

— Abi Morris (@abicmorris) November 9, 2016

And of course everyone would love to see Michelle Obama in office. But unfortunately for voters, her husband has said that she will absolutely not run for office. “Let me tell you, there are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes and Michelle is not running for president. That, I can tell you,” Obama said in January. But he did confirm that she will stay “really active” after they leave the White House, so hopefully we can get a healthy dose of the Obamas still.

Is it too early to nominate presidential candidates for 2020?

MichelleObama & @BernieSanders

— Shailene. (@ShaileneG) November 10, 2016

And a last thought on the phenomenon of the 2016 election:

My hope for 2020 is that we get away from the 2 party system & nominate candidates we’re excited to vote for. No less of 2 evils approach.

— Bobby Bauer (@Bauer_Bobby) November 9, 2016

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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