ABSTRACT

The garment industry in India is one of the largest employers of women, greatly contributing to national economic growth and international supply chains. Yet, persistent, gendered wage inequalities characterise the sector. This Research-Based Learning project investigates the extent, causes and implications of wage gaps between male and female workers in the Indian garment industry. Specific objectives are to understand how socio-cultural norms, occupational segregation, informal contractual structures, and systemic biases perpetuate unequal pay for equal work.

The study combines both primary and secondary data. Primary information was obtained through a structured questionnaire that targeted garment workers and people who are informed about how the industry works. Secondary sources of information include academic papers, reports on industries, labour policy documents, and global studies conducted by organizations such as ILO and Asia Floor Wage Alliance. The project also draws on related literature regarding wage discrimination, gender roles, supply-chain dynamics, and labour market segmentation.