Amid a raging debate over gender pay gap globally, a new report shows the figure for India stands as high as 27 per cent, where men earned a median gross hourly salary of Rs. 288.68, while women earned Rs, 207.85 per hour.
As per the latest Monster Salary Index by online career and recruitment solutions provider Monster India, in the IT services sector, the median gross hourly salary was the highest at Rs. 337.3.
But the IT services sector has a huge gender pay gap of 34 per cent. Men in IT services earn Rs 360.9 per hour, while women earn only Rs 239.6 per hour. A sector-wise analysis shows the gender pay gap was highest in manufacturing sector (34.9 per cent) and lowest in the BFSI and Transport, logistics, communication, equally standing at 17.7 per cent.
Preference According to the report, some of the reasons behind gender pay gap could be the preference for male employees over female employees, preference for promotion of male employees to supervisory positions and career breaks of women due to parenthood duties and other socio-cultural factors. Worldwide, lack of pay parity has taken centre stage, with strong views being shared by sportspersons, political and business leaders alike. Men often get higher salary offers than women vying for the same title in the same organisation, Monster India Managing Director Sanjay Modi said.
“Needless to say, the situation is far from desired in India, especially when the country is gearing towards inclusive development,” Mr. Modi said adding that the task at hand was the pace at which this pay gap could be bridged.
There was a strong need to create equal opportunities for all, particularly women, who were key contributors in the job market, he added.
