Pay differences between the sexes in Finnish industry in 1936–1978

The study examines pay differences between women and men in Finnish industry during the years 1936–1978. The study approaches the question from several perspectives: wage theory, the influence of the trade union movement, cyclical fluctuations, changes in industrial structure, and discrimination theory. Women’s particular position in the labour market is linked to the family institution, gender roles, and historically formed attitudes that have guided women’s placement in certain branches of industry — the labour market has to a large extent been divided along gender lines.

The empirical section examines how the ratio of women’s to men’s average hourly earnings changed during the review period in industry as a whole and across different sectors, and what factors explain this development. Special questions include the wage-narrowing effect of trade union activity and women’s unionisation, and whether the growth in female dominance in a sector has weakened the general wage level of that branch of industry. (AI translation)

• ISSN: 0358-5980
• ISBN: 951-9281-22-3