Salma Hayek calls for male stars to get pay cut

'I hope I can get a job after this,' the actress quipped after calling for men to take action in a move towards equal pay

Actress Salma Hayek has been an advocate for equal pay / EPA

Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek, a vocal campaigner against sexual harassment in the movie industry, said on Sunday male stars should get less pay as a way to even things up with underpaid women.

A day after joining dozens of other female movie makers, including Jane Fonda and Cate Blanchett, at a demonstration at the Cannes Film Festival in support of the struggle for women's rights, Hayek told a conference:

"The actors have to say: 'OK, time’s up. I had a good run but now it’s also time to be generous with the actresses in the films.'

"We all have to be part of the adjustment. That’s one idea. I’m going to be hated for it. I hope I can get a job after this!"

The issue of equality has been a running theme throughout the film festival which is the first to take place since sexual harassment allegations against some major Hollywood players surfaced last year.

The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 8 to May 19.

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