ILO Asia-Pacific Garment and Footwear Sector Research Note Issue 4

Gender pay gaps persist in Asia's garment and footwear sector

Gender wage inequality remains a considerable challenge in developing Asia’s garment and footwear sector. Some of the pay gap can be attributed to differences in factors such as age and education, but discrimination also appears to be a contributing determinant. Women are also more likely to be at the lower end of the wage ladder.

Despite their massive contribution to the industry, women continue to face sizeable disadvantages. This note looks at gender imbalances in regard to wages and working conditions in the Developing Asia’s garment, textile and footwear (GTF) industry in nine countries. It provides new estimates of the gender pay gap and examines the extent to which discrimination is a driving factor.