Influences on the gender wage gap of Trinidad and Tobago: An economic concept or a social construct? Dr. Reshma Mahabir and Dindial Ramrattan
Dr. Reshma Mahabir
, Dindial Ramrattan
Department of Research and Policy
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Email: dramrattan@central-bank.org.tt
DOI: 10.1108/WJEMSD-06-2014-0014
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: Economics; Sustainable development.
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
