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The Persistence of the Female Wage Disadvantage

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  • Anh T. Le
  • Paul W. Miller

Abstract

Studies of the Australian labour market during the 1980s reported that the gender wage differential narrowed. However, a different story emerged during the 1990s when the gender pay gap persisted. A large part of the pay gap is attributable to different ‘treatments’ of men and women in the labour market. This article examines whether the female wage‐disadvantaged state is a temporary or permanent phenomenon. The results show that while there is some mobility in the female wage distribution, there also exists a high degree of stickiness. It is argued that the wage‐disadvantaged state for females is generally not a temporary phenomenon.

Suggested Citation

  • Anh T. Le & Paul W. Miller, 2001. "The Persistence of the Female Wage Disadvantage," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 34(1), pages 33-52, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausecr:v:34:y:2001:i:1:p:33-52
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8462.00175
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