Tamil Nadu recognises gender-based disparities in sectors like manufacturing and services, where women make up 40.4 percent of workers but face a significant wage gap. They also own 26 percent of MSMEs but struggle to access equal opportunities
Published Jan 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 18, 2025 | 2:59 PM
Sangeeta Huli is a daily wage labourer at power loom unit in Ramdurg. (South First)
This report is the fourth article in a series analysing gender-based wage gaps in South Indian states. The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation recently released a report examining the roles of men and women across various sectors. The findings highlight a significant disparity in earnings, with women in India earning considerably less than their male counterparts. Read the first part here, the second part here, and the third part here.
“The men in the same position as mine used to earn ₹12,000, while I barely received ₹10,000. I was doing the same work, sometimes even more during peak hours. That’s when I decided to quit and start my own stall near Tower Park,” Rathanaveli, who previously worked at a franchise of a popular textile brand in Chennai, told South First.
She left her job due to the significant pay gap and now runs a small stall that provides her with a steady income. She emphasised that the fight for equal pay in organised retail remains critical.
In Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, the gender wage gap persists across various industries, more so in the textile and retail sectors.
Mani Mekhalai, who worked in a jewellery store and previously in a textile shop, highlights another aspect of the issue.
“My textile owner always paid me less because I was new to the job. But I was doing the same work as the men there. They were earning at least ₹200 to ₹350 more every day, despite my efficiency being on par. It was disheartening,” she told South First.
While many workers in the textile sector acknowledge the disparity, opinions differ. Sukumaran, a worker in a small textile store in Chennai next to Marina Beach, downplayed the significance of the pay gap. “The difference is marginal — maybe ₹100 to ₹200 a day or a couple of thousand rupees a month. It depends on their experience and the workload. Textile work is often based on hourly output, so the pay varies accordingly,” he noted.
However, many female workers contest this view, arguing that the gap disproportionately impacts their economic stability.
Prabhu D, a former manager of a retail shop near Velachery, shared, “Pay differences often stem from experience and workload rather than gender. Senior employees naturally earn more for handling pressure during peak times.”
However, he acknowledged societal biases: “Men are assumed to handle more physical tasks or stay late during festivals, leading to higher pay. Yet women workers are equally capable, proving this mindset needs to change.”
A report by the Union Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation titled Women and Men in India, 2023 reveals a significant wage disparity between men and women in Tamil Nadu, particularly in casual labour.
In rural areas, male casual labourers earn an average of₹437 per day, while female workers earn ₹259. In urban areas, the gap is smaller but still substantial, with men earning ₹488 and women earning ₹325.
This highlights persistent gender inequality in wages, especially in labour-intensive sectors, where women continue to be underpaid compared to their male counterparts.
The report also indicated that the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in Tamil Nadu is 55.8 for men and 38.8 for women in rural areas, and 57.4 for men and 22.0 for women in urban areas.
WPR is the percentage of the population that is employed and actively contributing to the production of goods and services.
Raji, a saree draper at a small store near Anna Nagar, shared her experience: “We all earn the same basic salary — ₹10,000 a month — but the difference comes with incentives. The male staff often get bonuses during festive sales or extra pay for assisting with stock management after hours, something women are rarely offered.”
“It’s frustrating because I work just as hard, draping mannequins, arranging displays, and managing customer requests. But when it comes to incentives, it’s like women are invisible. But I’ll keep working hard,” she told South First.
Ganesan, who works as a draper in the same store, told South First, “I get an additional ₹200 added to my salary monthly during festive months for helping with late-night stock arrangements and moving heavy items. While it’s assumed that these jobs aren’t suitable for women, I’ve seen Raji and other female staff handle heavy displays and work longer hours during rush times.”
He concluded by saying that it’s only fair to acknowledge everyone’s effort equally. He also questions if it is something that would change at all in Chennai or anywhere in Tamil Nadu, regardless of the industry.
Rajesh Murgappan, who works as a cashier in a textile store in T Nagar, shared with South First an observation inspired by his sister’s experience.
“My sister used to work as a cashier in a nearby store in Nungambakkam, and she faced constant discrimination. Even though she was just as efficient as her male colleagues, they never gave her any incentives. Once, she made a small mistake while balancing the accounts, and instead of encouraging her to improve, they used it as an excuse to deny her an incentive,” he said.
“It happened twice, and she eventually quit. But she carried that lesson with her — when she joined her next job, she worked harder and avoided errors, ensuring she was indispensable. Still, it’s upsetting that women often have to go above and beyond just to be treated fairly, because sometimes I can’t earn the money for home expenses,” he added.
“We need some kind of rotation of money,” Murugappan said.
According to the Tamil Nadu State Policy for Women 2024, the state acknowledges the existence of gender-based disparities in various sectors, including manufacturing and services.
The policy highlighted that while 40.4 percent of women workers in Tamil Nadu are employed in these sectors, a substantial wage gap remains. Additionally, women own 26 percent of micro, small, and medium enterprises, yet face challenges in accessing equal economic opportunities.
Furthermore, data from the Annual Survey of Industries (2019-2020) indicates that Tamil Nadu accounts for 43 percent of the 1.6 million women factory workers in India.
To address these issues, the Tamil Nadu government has implemented the Tamil Nadu Women Employment and Safety Program, emphasising the need for equal pay and safe working conditions for women across various industries.
The narratives of workers like Rathanaveli, Mani Mekhalai, Sukumaran, Raji, Ganesan, and Rajesh, coupled with government data, underscore the persistent gender wage disparities in Tamil Nadu.
Workers, particularly women, face significant wage gaps despite performing similar tasks to their male counterparts, highlighting a need for equal pay for equal work.
There is also a demand for improved workplace conditions, legal protections, and accessible skill development opportunities, especially for women who often have limited career advancement due to family responsibilities.
The people South First spoke to pointed to the lack of transparency in wage structures and the absence of women in leadership roles.
They emphasised the need for policies that promote gender equality, workplace safety, and greater representation of women in decision-making positions.
To address these issues, workers expect stronger support from both the government and employers, along with affordable childcare and family support systems.
“While initiatives are in place to address these issues, continuous efforts are essential to ensure equitable pay and opportunities for all workers, regardless of gender,” said working women in Chennai.
