Women's salary in India, less than a third of men's

[SinoIndusFriendship]

Women's salary in India, less than a third of men's
By siliconindia news bureau
Monday,09 November 2009, 18:57 hrs

New Delhi: There is a large difference in the salary structure of men and women in corporate India. The average annual income of a woman is $1,185, which is less than one-third of a man's $3,698, employed in Indian companies.

According to the survey done by World Economic Forum (WEF), there is a yawning gender gap in corporate India in the employment of women from the entry level to the top management of companies. As reported by Financial Chronicle, the survey, based on responses of 60 of the 100 best employers in India, showed that women employees held only 10 percent of the senior management positions in two-thirds of the surveyed companies. None of the companies had women chief executive officers (CEOs) and almost 40 percent of the respondents had only 10 percent women work force.



Only four percent of the companies surveyed monitor salary gaps. However, 84 percent of the companies surveyed don't believe there is a wage gap, while the remaining 12 percent do not track wage gaps at all. "It's not okay in India if a woman brandishes a whiskey bottle and sells it," said Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group, implying that cultural and social norms prevented some work environments to be naturally women-unfriendly.

Saadia Zahidi, the Co-author of the study said, "Women will need to be more efficiently integrated into the economy in order to boost India's long-term competitive potential. The WEF's survey of some of the largest companies in India shows that to achieve this integration, Indian companies will need to set targets, improve policies to close salary gaps and promote work-life balance."

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO, Indra Nooyi said that there was a need to educate the male population about women empowerment, besides educating the female population. "If you do not treat the women well, society will not progress," added Indra.

India ranks 114th among 134 countries in the WEF's India gender gap review 2009. It has closed 93 percent of its health gender gap, ranking 134th out of as many economies. It stands at 121st position in education gap with 84 percent and is at 127th place with 41 percent of economic participation gap. Besides, it is ranked 24th with 27 percent of the political empowerment gender gap, according to the study.

"The issues are all very critical. They are importantly integrated in terms of moving a country forward. The common ingredient in most studies is the recognition that investment in women and girls correlates positively to economic growth and poverty alleviation," said Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-large for global women's issues.

 

[AHMED85]

Women's salary in India, less than a third of men's
By siliconindia news bureau
Monday,09 November 2009, 18:57 hrs

New Delhi: There is a large difference in the salary structure of men and women in corporate India. The average annual income of a woman is $1,185, which is less than one-third of a man's $3,698, employed in Indian companies.

According to the survey done by World Economic Forum (WEF), there is a yawning gender gap in corporate India in the employment of women from the entry level to the top management of companies. As reported by Financial Chronicle, the survey, based on responses of 60 of the 100 best employers in India, showed that women employees held only 10 percent of the senior management positions in two-thirds of the surveyed companies. None of the companies had women chief executive officers (CEOs) and almost 40 percent of the respondents had only 10 percent women work force.



Only four percent of the companies surveyed monitor salary gaps. However, 84 percent of the companies surveyed don't believe there is a wage gap, while the remaining 12 percent do not track wage gaps at all. "It's not okay in India if a woman brandishes a whiskey bottle and sells it," said Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group, implying that cultural and social norms prevented some work environments to be naturally women-unfriendly.

Saadia Zahidi, the Co-author of the study said, "Women will need to be more efficiently integrated into the economy in order to boost India's long-term competitive potential. The WEF's survey of some of the largest companies in India shows that to achieve this integration, Indian companies will need to set targets, improve policies to close salary gaps and promote work-life balance."

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO, Indra Nooyi said that there was a need to educate the male population about women empowerment, besides educating the female population. "If you do not treat the women well, society will not progress," added Indra.

India ranks 114th among 134 countries in the WEF's India gender gap review 2009. It has closed 93 percent of its health gender gap, ranking 134th out of as many economies. It stands at 121st position in education gap with 84 percent and is at 127th place with 41 percent of economic participation gap. Besides, it is ranked 24th with 27 percent of the political empowerment gender gap, according to the study.

"The issues are all very critical. They are importantly integrated in terms of moving a country forward. The common ingredient in most studies is the recognition that investment in women and girls correlates positively to economic growth and poverty alleviation," said Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-large for global women's issues.

this is Indian ambition of gender equality

 

[RobbieS]

Women's salary in India, less than a third of men's
By siliconindia news bureau
Monday,09 November 2009, 18:57 hrs

New Delhi: There is a large difference in the salary structure of men and women in corporate India. The average annual income of a woman is $1,185, which is less than one-third of a man's $3,698, employed in Indian companies.

According to the survey done by World Economic Forum (WEF), there is a yawning gender gap in corporate India in the employment of women from the entry level to the top management of companies. As reported by Financial Chronicle, the survey, based on responses of 60 of the 100 best employers in India, showed that women employees held only 10 percent of the senior management positions in two-thirds of the surveyed companies. None of the companies had women chief executive officers (CEOs) and almost 40 percent of the respondents had only 10 percent women work force.



Only four percent of the companies surveyed monitor salary gaps. However, 84 percent of the companies surveyed don't believe there is a wage gap, while the remaining 12 percent do not track wage gaps at all. "It's not okay in India if a woman brandishes a whiskey bottle and sells it," said Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group, implying that cultural and social norms prevented some work environments to be naturally women-unfriendly.

Saadia Zahidi, the Co-author of the study said, "Women will need to be more efficiently integrated into the economy in order to boost India's long-term competitive potential. The WEF's survey of some of the largest companies in India shows that to achieve this integration, Indian companies will need to set targets, improve policies to close salary gaps and promote work-life balance."

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO, Indra Nooyi said that there was a need to educate the male population about women empowerment, besides educating the female population. "If you do not treat the women well, society will not progress," added Indra.

India ranks 114th among 134 countries in the WEF's India gender gap review 2009. It has closed 93 percent of its health gender gap, ranking 134th out of as many economies. It stands at 121st position in education gap with 84 percent and is at 127th place with 41 percent of economic participation gap. Besides, it is ranked 24th with 27 percent of the political empowerment gender gap, according to the study.

"The issues are all very critical. They are importantly integrated in terms of moving a country forward. The common ingredient in most studies is the recognition that investment in women and girls correlates positively to economic growth and poverty alleviation," said Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-large for global women's issues.

This isnt a very surprising finding. The gap in salary can be mainly put down to educational levels in men and women in India. Owing to the traditional set up in many families
(esp. in North India) girls often only study upto graduation/bachelor level before getting married. That normally hampers their further education while they continue to work as usual. Whereas most men working as professionals do a master degree as well.

The one flaw that I can see in this survey by WEF is that it only covered corporate organizations. I can bet that if it included schools and other educational institutions the gap may not be as glaring. The simple reason for that most corporates in India tend to be technology focused and employ mostly engineers. And girls normally opt for human/social/medical sciences degrees than technical/engineering ones. Girls are in a majority in B.Ed/medical institutions and subsequently in pharma companies, hospitals and schools/colleges/univs. If this study would have included medical and educational institutions the difference might not have been that drastic.

However I must say, that things are really changing. Most of my female colleagues have master degrees or are preparing for one. Also, women are in a majority in my company-60:40 ratio.

 

[arihant]

this is Indian ambition of gender equality

ya you have equality.

 

[RobbieS]

this is Indian ambition of gender equality

Couldn't resist this. The first step in gender equality is education. Care to check below-

India
Literacy rate:
total population: 61%
male: 73.4%
female: 47.8% (2001 census)

Pakistan
Literacy rate:
total population: 49.9%
male: 63%
female: 36% (2005)
Source: CIA factbook

You were saying something about gender equality?

 

[scrumpy]

India
Literacy rate:
total population: 61%
male: 73.4%
female: 47.8% (2001 census)

Pakistan
Literacy rate:
total population: 49.9%
male: 63%
female: 36% (2005)
Source: CIA factbook

Robbies,

This just proves that we are all losers. The literacy levels are low and will need years of hard work before we get into a position to preach to anyone.

--
S

 

[King Julien]

this is Indian ambition of gender equality

huh,

President of India-- Pratibha Patil

President of Indian National Congress-- Sonia Gandhi

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh-- Mayawati

Director Agni missile-- Tessy Thomas

ICICI Bank (CEO and MD)-- Chanda Kochhar

ICICI Bank (Joint MD)-- Lalita Gupte

ICICI Ventures (CEO)-- Renuka Ramnath

Axis Bank (CEO)-- Shikha Sharma

HSBC (CEO)-- Naina Lal Kidwai

Shriram Investments (MD)-- Akhila Srinivasan

Pepsi Co (CEO)-- Indra Nooyi

Biocon (Chairman)-- Kiran Mazumdar

Balaji Telefilms (Director)-- Ekta Kapoor

Lijjat Papad (President)-- Jyoti Naik

Apollo Hospitals (MD)-- Preetha Reddy

Apeejay Park Hotels (Chairman)-- Priya Paul

Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals (Chairman)-- Rajshree Pathy

NABARD (Chairman)-- Ranjana Kumar

Escolife (CEO)-- Ritu Nanda

Shahnaz Herbals (CEO)-- Shahnaz Hussain

Trent Ltd (Chairman)-- Simone Tata

Kinetic Engineering (Joint MD)-- Sulajja Firodia Motwani

then there are prominent women in all feilds Singers, Film, Sports, Writers, Politicians, Social Reformers...
Lata Mangeshkar, Aishwarya Rai, Sania Mirza, Indira Gandhi etc etc..
also a lady heading an underworld enterprise "Santokben Jadeja" aka "Godmother"
we also have an new member on defence.pk named kaali who is heading three companies would like to hear from her..

this same magazine carried an report saying by 2020 about 50% of CEO in India will be women

and that's 10 minutes of google

 

[Kaali]

huh,

President of India-- Pratibha Patil

President of Indian National Congress-- Sonia Gandhi

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh-- Mayawati

Director Agni missile-- Tessy Thomas

ICICI Bank (CEO and MD)-- Chanda Kochhar

ICICI Bank (Joint MD)-- Lalita Gupte

ICICI Ventures (CEO)-- Renuka Ramnath

Axis Bank (CEO)-- Shikha Sharma

HSBC (CEO)-- Naina Lal Kidwai

Shriram Investments (MD)-- Akhila Srinivasan

Pepsi Co (CEO)-- Indra Nooyi

Biocon (Chairman)-- Kiran Mazumdar

Balaji Telefilms (Director)-- Ekta Kapoor

Lijjat Papad (President)-- Jyoti Naik

Apollo Hospitals (MD)-- Preetha Reddy

Apeejay Park Hotels (Chairman)-- Priya Paul

Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals (Chairman)-- Rajshree Pathy

NABARD (Chairman)-- Ranjana Kumar

Escolife (CEO)-- Ritu Nanda

Shahnaz Herbals (CEO)-- Shahnaz Hussain

Trent Ltd (Chairman)-- Simone Tata

Kinetic Engineering (Joint MD)-- Sulajja Firodia Motwani

then there are prominent women in all feilds Singers, Film, Sports, Writers, Politicians, Social Reformers...
Lata Mangeshkar, Aishwarya Rai, Sania Mirza, Indira Gandhi etc etc..
also a lady heading an underworld enterprise "Santokben Jadeja" aka "Godmother"
we also have an new member on defence.pk named kaali who is heading three companies would like to hear from her..

this same magazine carried an report saying by 2020 about 50% of CEO in India will be women

and that's 10 minutes of google

well just 1 company ... I am advisor with others.


well coming to topic women salary is low as because of the employement level of women. even in the corporate and buisness sector there are certain section where man are preferred in comparison to women which require physical strength and that is neccassary. the ability of a man to do physical labour is much more in comparison to a women.

But some of the most highly paid employees and entrepreneurs within India are women.

 

[Atheist]

As for gender in equality in average pay structure - it exists in every country including US - and the major reason being women opting for lower technical jobs than men - women prefer arts/law/bachelors in pure sciences compared to masters in pure sciences/engineering/MBA - And IMHO Engineering/MBA pays a lot more

 

[StingRoy]

This is a baseless report. It is pretty much obvious why it is so.
A lot of the high paying jobs involve traveling (Sales, Field Banking, Industrial, Heavy Machinery, etc), which a few women opt to do. Found another interesting collection of facts from Washington Post:

* Women, on average, ask for 30 percent less money than males.
* Men are four times more likely to negotiate a first salary than women.
* Men are eight times more likely than women to negotiate their starting salary and benefits.
* Women ask for raises or promotions 85 percent less often than their male counterparts.
* In 2007, women who were full-time wage and salary workers earned 80 percent of their male counterpart's salary. (US)
* 20 percent of women (22 million people) say they never negotiate at all, even though they recognize negotiation as appropriate and even necessary.
* 2.5 times more women than men said they feel "a great deal of apprehension" about negotiation.
* When asked to pick metaphors for negotiations, men picked "winning a ball game match," while women picked "going to the dentist."

Cheers!

 

[SMC]

I actually agree with indians here. Women earn less for several reasons, which are all of their own doing. Less experience, vying for flex schedules, less rewarding and less dangerous jobs, less hours working and less overtime, etc.
Overall, if women want equal pay, they have to work equally as hard as men, have more experience, do more hours, negotiate more often, and a whole list of other options. They cant expect equal pay based on their working habits at this point in time (and this is true all over the world).

One thing to point out is that mentioning high powered women is not the way to go. You have to look at the big picture (i.e. the whole group) and not individuals from the group.

 

[Novice09]

I actually agree with indians here. Women earn less for several reasons, which are all of their own doing. Less experience, vying for flex schedules, less rewarding and less dangerous jobs, less hours working and less overtime, etc.
Overall, if women want equal pay, they have to work equally as hard as men, have more experience, do more hours, negotiate more often, and a whole list of other options. They cant expect equal pay based on their working habits at this point in time (and this is true all over the world).

One thing to point out is that mentioning high powered women is not the way to go. You have to look at the big picture (i.e. the whole group) and not individuals from the group.

from my personal experience :

When there was some urgent work (especially in early morning or late night) my boss was used to call a male employee instead of female one.

for thread starter: I'm a member of Silicon India and it has more than this(article) on Indian economy. But u r free to take stuff that is helpful for ur propaganda

 

[RiazHaq]

Gender gaps are among the widest in South Asia. Pakistan is ranked at 132, third from the bottom on a list of 134 nations compiled by the World Economic Forum for 2009. Only Chad and Yemen rank worse than Pakistan. This is not a surprise considering one of the lowest female literacy rates in Pakistan. Pakistan's gender gap of 27% in literacy is worse than India's 22%. At overall literacy rate of only 52%, and with more than 50 million people illiterate, Pakistan has one of the lowest overall literacy rates in Asia. The literacy rate for males over 15 years is 63% while that for females is 36% in Pakistan. Only Yemen's literacy rate and gender gap are worse than South Asia's.

Sri Lanka, ranked at 16 ahead of the United States at 31, is the shining exception to the rest of South Asia in terms of gender parity.

Ranked 114, India has fared better than Pakistan. But the WEF survey indicates that India is behind Bangladesh (94) and Nepal (110) - affirming that women in these countries share resources with men more equally than in India. Echoing concerns of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over female infanticide and 25 million "missing women" in India, the WEF rankings bring out the gender gap on health and survival issues. India's gender gap of 22% in literacy is also among the worst in the world.

WEF said close to 300 Indian women die every day during childbirth or of pregnancy-related causes, and the country has the worst sex ratios at birth in the world, ranking 131st on this variable. India holds last place among the BRIC countries on the the WEF gender Index, behind Russia (51), China (60) and Brazil (82).

Haq's Musings: Gender Inequality Worst in South Asia

Haq's Musings: Dalit Victims of Apartheid in India

Haq's Musings: Female Literacy Lags Far Behind in India and Pakistan

 

[SMC]

^^ These surveys are not accurate because it uses a different view of equality than a lot of us view equality. Additionally, they only take into account sexism against women - so I think because they only mention women. In US there are several laws and policies that are highly discriminatory against men and they never mention those.

 

[RobbieS]

And I believe this survey left out government organizations as well. They employ a large number of women. This survey is just not indicative of the women employment in India. Too small a sample size. Bad research WEF!