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Frozen in time: Gender pay gap unchanged for 10 years

Document number
2896
Date
2012
Title
Frozen in time: Gender pay gap unchanged for 10 years
Author/publisher
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Irregular Migration, Feminization of migration, Economic migration, Labour migration, Free movement, Undocumented migrants; Undocumented labour; Migrant rights; Migration management; Comprehensive approach to migration; Migration policy; Restrictive migration measures,
Summary
For the first time, researchers have ranked industries internationally by analysing the differences in wages in 15 sectors from construction to domestic workers. The report also includes detailed statistics from official sources in 18 countries.
"More unionised sectors such as the public sector tend to have lower pay gaps. Those with low unionisation ratesand low wage levels, such as retail, hotels and restaurants as well as agriculture tend to have higher gaps. Part of the problem is that many workers are not paid a decent minimum wage," said Sharan Burrow.

The report also found:
- Male dominated sectors such as construction have the smallest gender pay gaps due to the relatively low numbers of women, and the fact that the women tend to be better educated.
- Domestic workers show the lowest level of earning and the largest gender pay gaps.
- The highest 'unexplained gender pay gaps' attributed to discriminatory practices are found in Chile, South Africa and Argentina.
- A 'child penalty' contributes to keeping women's ages low, particularly affecting women aged 30 - 39.

 

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