Despite long-standing unification, the difference in pay for the same professions in the east and west of the country remains unequal.
The average monthly earnings of one employee in 2009 fell by €103; the average annual earnings in 2009 dropped to €27,648, which is 0.4% lower than in 2008 (?27,751). Earnings fell particularly sharply in manufacturing and among craftsmen – they declined by 3.6% year-on-year. The losses are mainly due to part-time work, reduced work weeks, or unpaid overtime. Earnings of workers in trade, hospitality, and transport remained virtually unchanged.
Inequality in income persists among some professions for men and women. For example, the monthly earnings of a male chemist are €4,413, of a female chemist – €3,875; a male sales manager – €2,320, a female manager of the same rank – €2,098; a male architect – €3,264, a female architect – €3,089, and so on.
And yet there is improvement in this matter: in nearly half of the 100 professions listed, wages for men and women are the same. Even in such seemingly purely male professions as electrician or roofing specialist, they earn the same – respectively €2,461 and €2,292.
But the difference in pay for the same professions in the east and west of the country remains unequal. For example, a certified male salesperson in the west earns €3,849, in the east – €3,241; a certified female salesperson in the west earns €3,379, in the east – €2,846. Thus, the pay difference in the east of the country as a percentage is 22% for men and 11.7% for women.
Researchers are criticized for insufficient coverage of respondents. Yet the figures presented clearly reflect the real situation in the country.
Viktor FISHMAN.
Russkaya Germaniya