Influences on the gender wage gap of Trinidad and Tobago: An economic concept or a social construct?
World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2042-5961
Article publication date: 11 May 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of a gender wage gap in Trinidad and Tobago and its possible influences.
Design/methodology/approach
Investigation of the issue utilised data from the 2008/2009 Household Budget Survey. A combination of linear regression and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis permits segregation of wage differences into explained and unexplained.
Findings
At the aggregate level, there is a significant difference between male and female wages. Investigation showed that the demographics with the highest levels of discrimination were in the age groups 35-44, income levels $3,000-$5,999 and private sector employment vs public sector.
Originality/value
The results of this research can serve as a useful tool for more gender-sensitive employment policies in Trinidad and Tobago, and possibly the wider Caribbean region.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are Economists in the Research and Policy Department of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Central Bank.
Citation
Mahabir, R. and Ramrattan, D. (2015), "Influences on the gender wage gap of Trinidad and Tobago: An economic concept or a social construct?", World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 140-151. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-06-2014-0014
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited