Unequal reward for equal work? Understanding the disparate opportunities for women in India
Indian society is one of the most unequal societies of the world and is divided into different social hierarchies of caste, class, religion, etc. Caste is a determinant of power, economic inequality, poverty, and discrimination in contemporary India. When it comes to women, they face the dual burden of discrimination, first gender-based and, second, caste-based.
Inequalities are rooted in the caste system, property, employment, and income relation. In India, the upper castes are the most advantaged caste group, and the scheduled castes (SCs)/scheduled tribes (STs) are the most disadvantaged and poorest ones. Hence, the unequal distribution of resources and cultural hegemony of the upper castes forced the lower castes to live into poverty, economic inequality, and discrimination, which lead to a multidimensional social exclusion where people are excluded from livelihoods, employment earnings, property, housing, minimum consumption, education, personal contacts, respect, etc.
However, the caste system has emerged as an archaic institution for the practices of exclusion, and over time, it has been weakened by modern market forces, but it is still very relevant when it comes to access to resources.
Gender-based exclusion is common across the globe, but within gender, there is caste hierarchy, which forces Dalit/tribal women to suffer from the double burden of exploitation, due to their caste and gender.
Caste has also forced women to practice ‘traditional’ occupations such as peasantry and scavenging etc. Therefore, there should be freedom of choice related to occupation, which would help them to come out of poverty and social exclusion.
This study investigates the magnitude of women workers among the social hierarchy (caste) and the relative factors responsible for workforce participation with their socio-economic and demographic characteristics. It examines the wage differential between Dalit/tribal and upper-class women workers by socio-economic and demographic characteristics.
This study has used the data of the 50th Employment and Unemployment Survey to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to 2017–2018 by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
The findings suggest that caste is a very effective determinant not just for the distribution of labour but also in deciding individuals’ remunerations, which leads towards unequal pay and discrimination in employment for Dalit/tribal women.
Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations) target of ‘sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth’ promises ‘full and productive work’ for all by 2030, as well as ‘equal work of equal value’. But India will not be able to achieve that without the active inclusion of disadvantaged workers. It is necessary for the government to ensure equal opportunities for every section of society, especially for the women belonging to marginalized communities, for sustainable economic development.
In light of the empirical evidence, this study recommends that the Ministry of Labour and Employment should initiate an affirmative action policy to improve the earning and social security of informal women workers, which can reduce the degree of discrimination. This affirmative action policy should also ensure the safety of women workers, who have been working in a hostile environment and are exploited in terms of wage-earning.
Article details
Unequal Reward for Equal Work? Understanding Women’s Work and Wage Discrimination in India Through the Meniscus of Social Hierarchy
Pushpendra Singh, Falguni Pattanaik
First Published February 19, 2020 Research Article
DOI: 10.1177/2455328X19898448
Contemporary Voice of Dalit