- Although men and women carry out the same activities, wage inequality still persists within the field of health.
- Globally, women represent 67% of health personnel worldwide.
- In addition, women do not receive enough support in stages of life such as pregnancy.
For the first time, the most complete global analysis was carried out regarding the working conditions of workers in the medical field. One of the aspects obtained is that there is still a severe inequality within health in the salary section. Despite performing the same tasks, women tend to receive less pay than men.
In this case, the report was prepared jointly by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). What it mentions is that women in the health sector face a larger gender pay gap than in other economic areas. In fact, it is mentioned that, on average, they receive 24 percent less than their male colleagues.
The analysis also mentions that this difference increases when considering factors such as age, education and experience. This highlights that women are underpaid for their attributes in the labor market compared to men.
There are more women but they earn less
Despite the above, much of the wage gap is unjustified. In addition, it must be considered that women make up 67 percent of staff worldwide. The report also finds that wages in the health and care sector tend to be lower overall, compared to other economic sectors. This is consistent with the finding that wages are often lower in economic sectors where women predominate.
Similarly, he mentions that during the Covid-19 pandemic, women played a fundamental role. Both doctors and nurses and from other areas were essential for patient care. Despite the above, improvements in achieving pay equity were minimal.
“The health and care sector has endured generally low wages, stubbornly large gender pay gaps, and highly demanding working conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly exposed this situation while demonstrating how vital they are,” said Manuela Tomei, Director of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department at the International Labor Organization.
Some nations have managed to combat inequality in the health sector
The investigation also found a wide variation in gender pay gaps in different countries. Therefore, it is inferred that it is not an inevitable problem but that it can be combated.
“The evidence and analysis in this groundbreaking report must inform governments, employers and workers to take effective action. It is encouraging that success stories in several countries are showing the way, including pay increases and political commitment to pay equity,” said Jim Campbell, Director of Health Workforce at WHO.
In addition to the salary, the working conditions are also different. As an example, women who become mothers do not receive enough support. During a woman’s reproductive years, employment and gender wage gaps in the sector increase significantly.
These gaps persist for the rest of a woman’s working life. The report notes that a more equal distribution of family duties between men and women could, in many cases, lead women to choose different occupations.
The work also analyzes the factors that are driving gender pay gaps in the sector. Differences in age, education, working time and the difference in the participation of men and women in the public or private sectors only address part of the problem.
The reasons why women are paid less than men with similar labor market profiles in the health and care sector around the world remain largely unexplained by labor market factors.