Gender pay gap is a world known thing and situation in India is no different. Latest report by Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation shows the same figure.
As per latest data report, women with same level of education as men, earns less.
In Metropolitan, a woman with a higher degree (Graduation) gets paid Rs 690.68 per day in the transport and storage sector while a man gets 30% more at Rs 902.45. The pay gap is similar for illiterate work force and in rural area. In agriculture, an illiterate woman worker receives Rs 88.2 per day while an illiterate man receives Rs 128.52, which is 45% more.
But situation is slightly different in some sectors in which women receive better pay than men, although difference is marginal. In the construction sector in rural areas, for instance, women (irrespective of the level of education) are paid Rs 322 on average per day while men are paid Rs 279.15, which is Rs 43 or 13% less.
In the transport and storage sector, women are paid Rs 455 on average per day, irrespective of the level of education, while men are paid Rs 443 per day–Rs 12 or 2.7% less. These figures are registered in urban areas.
The ‘Men and Women in 2017’ report released by the statistics and programme implementation ministry in May 2018 contains data on average daily wages and salaries for men and women aged 15-59 years, arranged by industry and type of work.
A graduate woman earns 5.8 times more than an illiterate woman in rural areas while graduate men earn 3.6 times more than illiterate men. A graduate woman earns nearly four times more than an illiterate woman in urban areas, while graduate men earn nearly three times more than illiterate men.
It is interesting to note that the gender wage gap between men and women remains high even after higher education–a graduate woman is paid Rs 609 on average across sectors while a man with a graduate or higher degree will earn Rs 805. Women with graduate or higher degree earn 24% less than their male counterparts.
Construction is the highest paying sector for women in rural areas while mining and quarrying is the highest paying sector for men, the data show.
India’s performance is not satisfactory among its peers. It has ranked 108th among 144 countries on gender equality rankings created by the World Economic Forum for its Global Gender Gap report of 2017. This puts India behind Bangladesh (at 47) and China (at 100).
(With Inputs from India Spend)
