Gender pay gap still high

Women in India earn 19% less than men: says a recent survey by Monster.com

As India and the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Monster Indiareleased its latest‘Monster Salary Index’ (MSI) highlighting the key aspects around gender pay gap. This index is complemented with the key findings from the third annual survey titled ‘Women of India Inc’alsoundertaken by the recruitments and career service provider.

The survey witnessed maximum share of participation fromMumbai at (24%), followed by Bengaluru (23%) and Delhi/NCR at (18%). The participation from non-metros was only at about29%. Hence, it would be logical to say that the sentiment portrayed in the report is primarily from the three largest metros.

We feel stark discrimination at work
As high as 60% of the working women felt that they are discriminated at work. The most notable form of discrimination is perception that women are less serious about work once they are married (47%). About 46% women feel that maternity leads to a perception that they will quit. About 46% women also believe that there is a notion that women can’t put the same number of hours as men.

Highlights of Monster Salary Index (MSI)
The gap has narrowed only by one percentfrom 20% in 2017
Gender pay gap widens with higher skill level; while there is no gender pay gap in semi-skilled work, the gap touches 20% for skilled women and 30% for highly skilled occupations
Gender pay gap widens with experience and is highest at 15% in favour of men for talent with 10 and more years of experience

Monster Salary Index- Gender pay gap
Source: WageIndicator Foundation
The MSI data from 2018 indicates that the current gender pay gap in India stands at 19% where men (INR 242.49) earnedINR 46.19more in comparison to women (INR 196.3).

Highlights of Women of India Inc. survey
71% men and 66% women feel that gender parity needs to be a top priority for their organisations
Over one-third of the women feel that they are not easily considered for top management roles
About 70% men are sure or nearly convinced that movements like #MeToo addto the cause of women empowerment; though about one-fourth women feel such movements aren’t enough to shift imbalances
86% womenconsider safety as key parameter while choosing a job,close to 50% women either find night shift unsafe or not a preferable option, considering 40% women respondents are from the IT/ITES industry

IT/ITESservices shows 26% pay gap in favour of men
In the manufacturing sector, men earn 24% more than women. This is an eye-opener, considering the focus on this sector through the ‘Make in India’ initiative
Surprisingly, even in sectors like healthcare, caring services, &social workmen earn 21% more than women; where notionally these sectors are more identified with women
Financial services, Banking & Insurance is the only industry where men earn just 2% more