Rebalancing the Biases

Despite the existence of well-defined legal provisions that offer actionable remedies to promote equity and justice, gender inequality at workplaces persist

- RAAVI BIRBAL

Gender inequality in terms of employment opportunities at workplaces, a much-talked-about topic, has partial solutions available in some of the less-talked-about provisions. One such provision is Section 5 of The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, which categorically mentions that no employer shall, while making recruitment for the same work or work of a similar nature, or in any condition of service subsequent to recruitment such as promotions, training, or transfer, make any discrimination against women—except where the employment of women in such work is prohibited or restricted by or under any law for the time being in force.

The statute provides for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers and for the prevention of discrimination, on the ground of gender, against women in matters of employment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It includes issues such as those mentioned in Section 5.