Decades, or centuries ago rather, there has already been a theory about wage and exploitation and surprisingly until this day it is still acceptable. In this section, we will define and clarify these to be able to give an analysis on the topic. From the question what is the definition of pay/wage up to discussing what is to be done.
First to be discussed is the definition of wage. What really is wage and how do workers “earn” it?
Wage is what the worker is paid in exchange for their labor-power (that is measured also through time). Its value is not equal to what the workers produce for the capitalists. Wages come from the existing wealth of capitalists. It is actually NOT, as what we think of, the product of their hard-work. From this, we can clearly see that it IS exploitation. How come? The workers do not receive what really is theirs! For example, a worker is making a product that costs 500 PHP. If they produce 12 of that in a day would they receive the same value of it as their wage? No. Because what they are being paid off is only their labor-power. That is the reality of a lot of workers.
In addition, if exploitation and oppression already exists in this sense, how much more when a woman is in the picture?
We know that women are still being oppressed until this day. Gender pay gap, when women are paid less compared to men, still exists and one of the reasons behind this is patriarchy. If unjust working conditions, such as gender pay gap are still present, then eliminating the patriarchal system is still far from our reach.
Gender pay gap violates human rights. The super exploitation, low wages, maximizing rate of profit at the expense of specializing wage labor and the division it causes in our society results in unjust working conditions for the workers. Despite this, workers still continue under this system to provide for their families. To survive their daily struggles.
What can be done? The workers and the people must organize and take the collective action to put an end to the systematic oppression causing these unjust labor conditions. We cannot rely and expect the oppressors in this fight. We cannot expect them to listen to who they are exploiting. Workers and the people shall unite to overthrow the system that is oppressing everyone and this shall bear the liberation of all.
References:
Hoiland, S. and Lumen Learning (2018). Theoretical Perspectives on Gender. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/theoretical-perspectives-on-gender/.
Gimenez, M. (2005). Capitalism and the Oppression of Women: Marx Revisited. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/40404227?seq=1.
Pike, S. (2018). The Gender Pay Gap is a Disgrace. Retrieved from https://www.counterfire.org/articles/opinion/19520-the-gender-pay-gap.
Hales, B. (2017). Who Benefits from the Gender Wage Gap? A Marxist-Feminist Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/34867569/Who_benefits_from_the_gender_pay_gap.
Marx, K. (1847). Wage Labour and Capital. n.p.