Gender Differences in the Wages of Construction Workers in Aurangabad District

Abstract

This study tries to understand the difference between the wages of male and female construction workers in Aurangabad district. Construction work is an important source of income for many families, and both men and women work on different types of construction sites. However, their wages are often not equal. To study this issue, we created a dataset of 200 construction workers that included information such as gender, age, education, work experience, hours of work per week, and the type of job they do (unskilled labour, skilled labour, or mason). Using this information, we compared the wages of men and women and also used statistical methods to check whether the wage difference still remains after considering all these other factors. The study clearly shows that male construction workers earn more than female workers. On average, women in the sample earned around ₹13,500 per month, while men earned around ₹15,950 per month. This shows a clear wage gap. When we used a regression analysis to control for education, work experience, hours worked, and job type, the gender wage gap still remained. The results show that men earn about ₹1,880 more per month than women even when they have similar qualifications and do similar work. This means that only part of the wage gap can be explained by education or job type. The remaining difference may be due to unequal work opportunities, discrimination, lack of access to skilled jobs, or social barriers faced by women.

The study highlights the need for policies that encourage equal wages for equal work. Women should get better access to training for skilled construction jobs, such as masonry or carpentry, so that they can earn higher wages. Construction companies and contractors should also ensure that women receive fair wages and are given opportunities similar to men. Providing support facilities like safe transportation, childcare, and gender-friendly work environments can also help women take up better-paying roles.