What does this topic have to do with me?
Just think about it, if you find yourself doing the same job in the same position as your (male/female) colleagues but not getting the same salary, I believe you won't care.
Just as society advocates equality between men and women, equal pay for equal work is an out of reach?
Equal pay for equal work means that men and women should receive equal pay at the same job. However, data from the Bureau of Statistics shows that the income gap between men and women in my country has not decreased over the years, expanding from RM24 in 2010 to RM176 in 2021, an increase of 608%!
Among them, the median monthly salary of women in seven years is RM100 or more less than that of men. Among them, the gap was the largest in 2013, with RM200 missing, which is equivalent to RM2,400 per year.
How much does a woman earn for every RM100 for men?
Can you make it through at the age of 40?
From the age point of view, women's monthly income surpasses men between the ages of 40 and 54, with an average increase of RM210, but they return to their original state after they reach the age of 55.
What is the difference in income between men and women in each state/district?
Among the 13 states and three federal territories, Selangor has the largest income gap between men and women, with more than RM800! Meanwhile, women in six regions earn higher incomes than men, such as Sarawak’s median monthly salary, which is RM420 more than men.
The biggest income gap between Chinese men and women is more than RM600!
Although Chinese people have higher monthly income than their friends, the income gap between Chinese men and women is also quite large. Women earn RM330 less than men on average; in 2019 alone, the gap was as high as RM628.
Women earn more than 1,000 RMB less than men in education
Overall, women earn less than men in most industries, even the education industry, which is mostly women, has a median monthly salary of RM1,319 less than men; while in the construction industry dominated by men, women earn RM468 more than men per month.
How serious is this situation? Taking the position of manager as an example, the median monthly salary of women is RM4,870, which is equivalent to 82% of men. In other words, they entered the "did-working" stage for up to 60 days in a year, and even if they work seriously, their salary will not be the same as that of men.
What is the reason for the income gap between men and women?
Although our country signed the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as early as 1995, as of now, the Labor Act of 1955 does not explicitly stipulate equal pay for equal work for men and women.
Women in my country have higher average education level and stronger actual learning ability, but why are their income in the labor market still not high?
Gender bias, misunderstanding and discrimination in the workplace
Some employers believe that women are unable to work in certain settings and are unable to perform leadership. Furthermore, gender bias may affect women’s performance evaluation and promotion opportunities.
Once women have children, they may face so-called "maternal punishment" because employers believe that mothers are less capable and contribution than women without children; on the contrary, fathers are considered to be more responsible than men without children.
Career distinction
Under the deeply rooted traditional social concept, some professions are often dominated by a certain gender. For example: manufacturing and engineering are generally dominated by men; while most women are engaged in cleaning, cashiers, nursing, civilian jobs and catering.
Furthermore, women are considered to need to take care of their families and housework, so they have difficulty in fighting for management positions in the company and are instead encouraged to pursue what is considered to be a more “feminine” type of work that allows them to work less time so that they can do housework and take care of their children.
Which countries have legislation to compulsory equal pay for equal work?
According to statistics from the World Bank, as of last year, a total of 96 countries and regions around the world have already implemented equal pay for equal work for men and women, including Iceland, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, etc.
Iceland
Iceland set a world precedent in 2018, and legislation mandates equal pay for men and women. Any company and organization with more than 25 employees must pass the equal income certification of men and women to ensure that employees with the same work (regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or nationality) are equally paid for equal work. Companies who violate regulations must pay a fine of up to 50,000 Icelandic Kroner (about RM1,646) per day until the situation improves.
France
In France, large companies must publish five gender compensation indexes, including promotions, salary increases and gender ratios for ten highest paid employees. Companies with index below 75 points (out of 100 points) must make adjustments within three years. If the standard is not met within the time limit, the company will need to pay a fine of 1% of the total employee salary.
