Gender gap in wages still seen

GENDER experts said yesterday that women in the Philippines, on the average, earn less than their male counterparts yearly.

In a live chat yesterday, Imrana Jalal, Asian Development Bank (ADB) senior social development specialist in gender, cited a study by the bank with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and the Philippines.

“In the three countries, women’s annual earnings amount to 71% of men’s earnings. The main reasons for the gender wage gap are related to the discrimination that women face in the labour market, and the overall gender inequality in society,” Ms. Jalal said.

She noted that gender gaps persist throughout the globe, whether in developed or developing societies.

“Many Asian labor markets also informally divide up jobs into ‘women’s jobs and men’s jobs’. There are many more ‘men’s jobs’ available than women’s jobs, especially if we look at decent jobs such as in the public sector and at management levels,” Ms. Jalal said.

“Where men and women are found in the same sector, such as paid domestic work for others, male domestic workers like security guards and drivers earn much more than female domestic workers who look after the household and care for people,” she added.

Agriculture was found to be largest sector of women’s employment in the three countries, followed by services and industry.

According to Nelien Haspels, ILO senior specialist on gender and women workers issues, culture and religion influence gender norms and play a role in determining whether women can go out to work or are confined to the home.

“This is true in Asia as elsewhere. However, Asia is also a very dynamic region, and ideas about men and women and what they can do are changing rapidly between the generations,” Ms. Haspels said in the live chat.

The Philippines has been cited for a high gender equality index but also has a low labor market participation of women. Philippine women also have a large share in vulnerable work, particularly doing 84% of household or care work.

“The Philippines, for the most parts, has its laws in place to promote gender equality. The ADB-ILO study shows that the big challenge is implementation. With regard to the protection of domestic workers, the

‘Kasambahay [Law]’ or domestic workers bill (Republic Act No. 10361) that was adopted in the Philippines is a major legal breakthrough and can form an example for other countries,” Ms. Haspels noted.

However, she also said that legislation cannot stand alone and needs to be accompanied by practical policies and measures. — A.M. Monzon, Businessworld