Law On Gender Wage Gap In India

Sushruta Mitra, Gujarat National Law University

ABSTRACT

This paper starts by analysing the state of the gender wage disparity in India. Further, it analyses various judicial pronouncements and existing provisions regarding the gender wage gap. Finally, the paper will look into the recent legislation of Code on Wages, 2019 and delve into the possible limitations of the same.

Introduction

According to the United Nations, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by males worldwide. As a result, men and women have lifelong income disparities, and more women are retiring into poverty. Because women's labour is undervalued and women tend to be concentrated in different jobs than men, the persistent salary disparity between men and women continues in all countries and across all industries. Even though the work requires equal or greater effort and competence, it is evaluated and compensated less. The disparity widens among women of colour, immigrant women, and moms. The so-called "motherhood penalty," which forces women into the informal economy, casual and part-time work, is greater in developing countries than in affluent countries.