This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the ...This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the traditional and easy explanation for pay discrepancies, but more aggressive enforcement of equal pay legislations has virtually diminished the validity of rationalizing the existence of pay differences solely on gender. Statistical data surrounding the pay gap point to other factors as more causal instruments that sustain and perpetuate the gap in spite of more than forty years of enforcement of equal pay legislations. The choices we make seem to predict and explain current wage gaps better than blatant gender discrimination does, and policies directed at improving those choices appear to be better strategic tools in closing the wage gap.展开更多
Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rur...Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants. On the basis of correcting for sample selection problems arising from labor market participation and short-term employment, rural migrants＇ wage function is estimated using quantile regression method, and wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants is decomposed using MM method. Our empirical results suggest that those with a higher level of education, training experience and local employment recommended by family relations or in formal labor market are more likely to secure long-term labor contract,＂ region and education have significant contributions to the wage of rural migrants,＂ rural migrants of both long- and short-term contract types have great gaps at the bottom of salary distribution; and there exists a sticky floor effect in wage difference of rural migrants. These results have important policy implications in enhancing employment stability of rural migrants, improving income distribution equity, speeding up the process of urbanization, and balancing regional development.展开更多
Using data from the 1995, 2002 and 2007 surveys, the paper attempts to investigate whether the gender wage gap has continued to widen during the period under study. To answer the question, this paper utilizes decompos...Using data from the 1995, 2002 and 2007 surveys, the paper attempts to investigate whether the gender wage gap has continued to widen during the period under study. To answer the question, this paper utilizes decomposition methodology to decompose the wage difference between male and female employees into explained and unexplained components. The results of decomposition for 1995, 2002 and 2007 indicate that the gender wage gap increased significantly, particularly in the period 2002-2007, and that an increasing part of the gap was due to unexplained components. This implies rising discrimination against female employees in China＇s urban labor market. Decomposition results based on quantile regression analysis indicate the gender wage gap is greater for low wage groups, as is the share of unexplained components in the gap.展开更多
文摘This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the traditional and easy explanation for pay discrepancies, but more aggressive enforcement of equal pay legislations has virtually diminished the validity of rationalizing the existence of pay differences solely on gender. Statistical data surrounding the pay gap point to other factors as more causal instruments that sustain and perpetuate the gap in spite of more than forty years of enforcement of equal pay legislations. The choices we make seem to predict and explain current wage gaps better than blatant gender discrimination does, and policies directed at improving those choices appear to be better strategic tools in closing the wage gap.
文摘Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants. On the basis of correcting for sample selection problems arising from labor market participation and short-term employment, rural migrants＇ wage function is estimated using quantile regression method, and wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants is decomposed using MM method. Our empirical results suggest that those with a higher level of education, training experience and local employment recommended by family relations or in formal labor market are more likely to secure long-term labor contract,＂ region and education have significant contributions to the wage of rural migrants,＂ rural migrants of both long- and short-term contract types have great gaps at the bottom of salary distribution; and there exists a sticky floor effect in wage difference of rural migrants. These results have important policy implications in enhancing employment stability of rural migrants, improving income distribution equity, speeding up the process of urbanization, and balancing regional development.
基金This research was funded by the Ford Foundation and the Chinese National Social Science Foundation major national project for 2006, ＂Reform of the Income Distribution System and Social Equality＂ （headed by Li Shi）, the 2009 major project ＂Research on the Adjustment of National Income Distribution and the Structure of Fiscal Expenditure＂ （headed by Cong Shuhai）, and the key project of the National Natural Science Foundation ＂Integration of Labor Markets in Urban and Rural China＂ （headed by Yao Xianguo）. We extend our gratitude to those concerned.
文摘Using data from the 1995, 2002 and 2007 surveys, the paper attempts to investigate whether the gender wage gap has continued to widen during the period under study. To answer the question, this paper utilizes decomposition methodology to decompose the wage difference between male and female employees into explained and unexplained components. The results of decomposition for 1995, 2002 and 2007 indicate that the gender wage gap increased significantly, particularly in the period 2002-2007, and that an increasing part of the gap was due to unexplained components. This implies rising discrimination against female employees in China＇s urban labor market. Decomposition results based on quantile regression analysis indicate the gender wage gap is greater for low wage groups, as is the share of unexplained components in the gap.
