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Effects of Globalization on Wages and Gender
With the wave of globalization reaching every country worldwide, it is to be expected
that there should be discussions on the impact that it has brought to those that embrace it.
Globalization has enabled businesses to expand and reach new markets hat were not possible a
few decades back while at the same time creating numerous job opportunities for foreigners by
setting up offices in different cities or linking up with companies with similar interests.
Consumers of the services and products on offer can benefit more as there is an array of options
for them to choose from. Competition among firms that otherwise would not have crossed paths
will intensify as they will seek to streamline their business for them to maximize the profits. It
will mean that the employees will have to get used to budget cuts that include finding new and
cheaper options for the existing positions. Regardless of this, there has always been an issue on
the inequality that has long existed in the job market regarding wages between men and women
in the same profession. With globalization, there have been some adjustments to how business is
conducted and as a result, the wage gap between the genders. Personally, I believe that
globalization has led to an increase in the difference between the earnings of men and women for
the former. The research that has been conducted by a few of experts show that the wage gap is
largest in professions where there is a need for constant supervision or awareness of the progress
of the business. In contrast, those in office jobs are more likely to get the close to the same wages
with little difference between what women and men earn.

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With this changes brought by globalization, it has been important that the workers are
accessible throughout for phone calls with overseas clients and partners as the time difference
often plays a huge role. For instance, traders will have to adjust their schedules to be able to
accommodate the opening and closing of foreign stock markets as they bid to manage and
analyze how certain stocks performed on the day. It is a common occurrence to hear that senior
figures at most firms often sleep less than six hours due to the commitments that come with it.
Another example is that of workers in export companies who have to be on call by all day round
in case of delays and complications with shipments. It is no secret that most firms prefer hiring
males in these positions as they find them more flexible in their schedules and ability to go
where the business requires them to go (Bler et al.). In the occasion that women are employed
they are often paid significantly less than their male counterparts. Employers expect that their
workers can move from one workstation to another at a moments notice with little complication
and hence their preference for males.
Women are thought to be preoccupied with other issues such as their family as they are
perceived as the primary household caretakers and caregivers. Due to this, employers believe
that women will be more rigid regarding their availability in case of emergencies and
reassignments. Such practices are rife especially in Asian countries, where patriarchy is a big
concern. Women are expected to be housewives rather than follow a career. Such assumptions
are false as married men undergo the same type of challenges that women go through. The
traditional role of women in the household and society, in general, is portrayed and amplified in
the business world as globalization has set in. Women are always mistreated and misused in these
Asian and African companies as they are expected to be submissive and comply with what is
happening. As a result, men gain more leverage against them and can be able to maneuver

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through the employment channels by getting qualified women who will be paid significantly
lower to the men as they are supposed not to complain about such issues. With the expectation
that the males are supposed to be the primary and sole provider for the family might have led to
the belief that they should be getting higher wages that women by doing the same job.
Globalization has also increased competition for the limited jobs that are available which
results in cheaper labor. Firms can now outsource their manufacturing to cheaper markets where
there are no restrictions such as minimum wage and workers unions which are a huge issue in the
western worlds. It is common to find almost all major companies in the world have their
manufacturing plants in Asia where there is an influx of people who are readily available for
employment. Such pressure leads to the workers in developed countries to request for lower
wages than they are entitled to so as to get a job. Additionally, foreign workers are starting to
flood into countries such as the United States and England in search for jobs which they get with
ease as they are equally or more qualified than the existing labor force and with their minimal
demands they are an enticing proposition for any business.
Globalization has brought about this problem which is driving down the value of
employees worldwide. There is no way to curb this menace but to adapt to the changing times. In
developing countries, trade liberation has led to the reduction of small scale and subsistence
farming leaving women in the regions to look for jobs in export processing jobs where they are
denied rights which are available to their male counterparts. These women were initially
forbidden to have representation and unions (Butale). The policies were later revisited after such
countries were forced to do so before borrowing funds from international organizations such as
the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

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In conclusion, it should be said that for all the good that has been brought by
globalization such emergence of new frontiers for doing business, the one issue on increasing
wage gap between male and females has not been addressed (Boler). Individual governments
should be able to shield its citizens from such blatant discrimination and undermining of a
particular sex in the workplace. Minimum wages should be introduced, and an oversight
authority be put in place with the spread of awareness on the issues of patriarchy and sexism in
the employment sector. Workers should be gauged by their qualifications and skills to be able to
fulfill the desired task. Merit and competence should be a measure of determining better
employees rather than fall back on the stereotypes, misconceptions, and illusions that one sex is
better than the other one due to ignorance and lack of understanding to be able to act better.

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Works Cited
Boler, Esther. "How Does Globalisation Affect the Gender Wage Gap?" World Economic Forum.
N.p., 18 May 2015.
Bler, Esther Ann, Beata Javorcik, and Karen-Helene Ulltveit-Moe. "Globalisation: A woman's
best friend? Not quite so."
Butale, Cheludo. "Globalization and Its Impact on Women in Developing Countries."
International Association for Political Science Students. N.p., 30 Mar. 2015.