Gender Pay Equity Audits In India: Employer Obligations Under The Code On Wages

Introduction

Equal remuneration and non-discrimination in compensation are important aspects of employment law and workplace governance in India. The Code on Wages, 2019 (“Code”) establishes a statutory framework prohibiting gender-based discrimination in wages for employees performing the same work or work of a similar nature for the same employer. It also prohibits discrimination on the ground of sex in recruitment and conditions of employment for the same or similar work, subject to restrictions imposed by law.

With the implementation of the Code, employers must pay closer attention to how compensation is determined, how salary structures are designed and whether differences in remuneration can be supported by objective and consistently applied criteria.