• Local report finds women under-represented in high-wage industries, concentrated in low-paid service roles

A local research report on the gender-related pay gap highlighted that while women are under-represented in high-wage industries, concentrated in low-paid service roles, and a significant proportion of them are engaged in part-time work and unpaid domestic care services, the gender-based pay gap in the Sri Lankan labour market is primarily and closely linked to unpaid care services.

This report was prepared by a group and team of researchers, including the Women and Media Collective, led by its Executive Director Dr. Sepali Kottegoda, and under the leadership of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus.

The said report was presented to the Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa by the Chairperson of the Caucus, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle recently. 

Addressing the gathering, Abeywardana highlighted that it is important to formulate legislation and new policies to change these wage-related inequalities, while Premadasa noted that provisions should be included in the Constitution so that these rights can be upheld. Dr. Fernandopulle emphasised that in order to eliminate this gender-based wage disparity, there should also be a change in societal attitudes.