Pakistan has taken a significant policy step by officially unveiling its first comprehensive Gender Pay Gap report alongside a National Action Plan aimed at narrowing wage disparities between men and women. The initiative marks a shift from fragmented discussions toward a coordinated national response, positioning wage equality as a cornerstone of inclusive economic development and labor reform.
Developed by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, the report provides a data-driven assessment of wage inequality across sectors and employment types. It also introduces a phased roadmap that connects policy reform with measurable outcomes for women in the workforce.
Data Reveals Structural Roots of the Gender Pay Gap
The findings highlight the depth of the Gender Pay Gap, showing that women in formal wage employment earn on average 25 to 30 percent less than men performing comparable work. The disparity becomes even more pronounced in the informal economy, where women earn nearly 40 percent less due to limited regulation, weak enforcement mechanisms, and absence of social protection.
Crucially, the report reveals that a large share of the Gender Pay Gap cannot be explained by education, experience, or skill levels alone. This points to entrenched structural and cultural barriers, including occupational segregation, undervaluation of women’s work, and discriminatory wage-setting practices that persist across industries.
Stakeholders Unite to Address Gender Pay Gap Challenges
The launch event brought together policymakers, employers, trade unions, labor inspectors, academics, and wage board members, signaling broad consensus on the urgency of addressing the Gender Pay Gap. Through consultations, stakeholders outlined legal, institutional, and administrative reforms aligned with international labor standards.
The roadmap emphasizes harmonizing national labor laws with global commitments, particularly conventions on equal remuneration and non-discrimination. It also underscores the need for stronger labor inspections, transparent wage structures, and improved data collection to track progress over time.
Government Commitment Strengthens Momentum for Equality
Federal Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry described the report as a decisive step toward dismantling economic barriers faced by women. He emphasized that closing the Gender Pay Gap is not only a matter of social justice but also a prerequisite for sustainable economic growth, productivity, and poverty reduction.
The government has signaled its intention to integrate the action plan into broader labor market reforms, ensuring that wage equality is embedded within employment policies rather than treated as a standalone issue.
International Support Accelerates Gender Pay Gap Action
ILO Country Director Geir Tonstol noted that Pakistan has moved decisively from assessment to implementation. He stated that addressing the Gender Pay Gap requires transparent wage systems, expanded formal employment, and institutions capable of enforcing equal pay principles.
ILO experts shared international best practices, stressing the importance of skill certification, career-linked employment pathways, and flexible work arrangements that allow women to balance professional and caregiving responsibilities without wage penalties.
National Action Plan Targets Long-Term Gender Pay Gap Reduction
The National Action Plan introduces practical reforms to reduce the Gender Pay Gap over time. These include recognizing unpaid care work, promoting women’s transition into formal employment, expanding access to training and upskilling, and introducing gender-responsive wage-setting mechanisms.
Special attention is given to sectors where women are overrepresented yet underpaid, ensuring that economic contributions are valued fairly and consistently across the labor market.
A Defining Moment for Pakistan’s Labor Market Future
The launch of the report represents a defining moment in Pakistan’s labor reform journey. By placing the Gender Pay Gap at the center of policy dialogue, the country has taken an important step toward a more equitable and competitive economy.
If effectively implemented, the reforms could reshape workplace norms, strengthen women’s financial independence, and unlock untapped economic potential—benefiting not only women, but Pakistan’s economy as a whole.
