IMF encourages action to ensure women have equal pay as men
SAINT GEORGE’S, GRENADA — A concerning trend that suggests jobs in Grenada pay women less than they pay men must be urgently addressed, according to a new report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Many Caribbean women still face disparity in the workforce.
This comes as several reports from organizations like the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and others have recently shed light on the unique dilemma faced by working Caribbean women.
According to the IMF, a recent study into Grenada’s economic circumstances revealed “evidence of a gender pay gap and a female participation gap,” suggesting that not only are fewer women formally employed, but that they are generally paid less when they are.
However, the IMF believes there exists “scope to better promote gender equality, boost labour participation and improve skills” in the nation.
To remedy the issue of jobs in Grenada paying women less, the IMF suggested solutions such as:
- Encouraging more women to take up formal jobs
- Introducing training programmes specifically for women
- Improving job search opportunities
Addressing the pay gap
According to the IMF, one surefire way to encourage more women to pursue formal jobs in Grenada is by providing assistance with childcare.
“Incentivizing female labour force participation — including by promoting transparent pay practices and investing in care facilities to reduce the burden of family duties — could boost labour supply and potential growth,” it said.
There are several steps that can be taken to address the gender pay gap in Grenada, says the IMF.
Notably, a similar suggestion was made by CAPRI with respect to improving productivity among the labour force in Jamaica.
In that country, it was reported that while women made up the majority of both paid workers as well as performers of unpaid domestic labour, they were simultaneously and consistently among the lowest-paid workers in the country.
Additionally, the IMF said: “Training and apprenticeship programs…should focus on increasing technical and entrepreneurial skills, better connecting academic institutions with employers and facilitating the transition to employment…
“Planned adjustments in the minimum wage should be consistent with identified productivity gains and be supported by efforts to facilitate job searching.”
This recommendation echoes an earlier call made by the World Bank, which lamented a lack of talent acquisition services — such as those provided by Caribbean Employment Services Inc. — throughout the Caribbean in general.
Both the IMF and World Bank emphasized that greater talent acquisition and job search efforts would be a boon to Caribbean labour markets.
Combined with the IDB’s research indicating that Caribbean women still face disparities in the workplace, the evidence becomes clear that there is an urgent need to ensure women have equal access to decent job opportunities.
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