Economic Development: The Labour Market

This chapter examines gender and race gaps in labour participation, wages, job distribution, and income inequality in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). The labour market data shows that despite a 25% rise in female labour force participation over the period 1991–2015, males have consistently held a higher participation rate. In terms of ethnicity, Trinidad and Tobago nationals of African descent (ATTs) had higher labour force participation compared to those of Indian descent (ITTs), while unemployment rates have declined for both ethnic groups. Although little difference was noted in occupational ethnic makeup, significant variations in job distribution among genders were evident. That is, the labour market tends to be more segregated along gender than racial lines. Wage gaps were not systematically different between ATTs and ITTs in general, but favoured ITTs in the public sector, while the private sector showed more substantial disparities favouring males regardless of their ethnic group. Nevertheless, economic growth has been partly redistributive, with all groups benefitting, especially those at the lower end of the income distribution.