The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

The Equal Remuneration Act (ERA), 1976 was enacted on 11, February, 1976. It is a pivotal piece of legislation in India’s pursuit of gender justice by addressing the persistent issue of the gender pay gap. Some of the important aspects of the Act are, Section 4, mandates equal pay for “the same work or work of a similar nature,” irrespective of gender. This directly tackles discriminatory practices that undervalue women’s work and promotes economic justice. While the Act is gender-neutral in language, it holds immense relevance to women who are disproportionately affected by wage discrimination, particularly in low-wage sectors. The ERA empowers women to demand fair compensation and challenges societal biases that perpetuate unequal pay based on gender. ERA remains as a milestone in India’s fight for gender justice, and continued efforts to enhance its implementation and address limitations are essential to ensure equal pay for equal work and bridge the gender pay gap.

The Act extends to whole of India. It has 9 sections. The Act was amended in 1987 and in 2019.


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