Survey reveals increased precariousness of female employment

Figure 1: Type of employment contract (%)

Note: Sample size was 796 (that is, only working respondents).

Source: ASSA-M (2011)

The survey data show that the current financial crisis is aggravating the labour market situation of women, making them more vulnerable. Thus, compared with 2009, the share of women working on a labour contract or self-employed in 2010 decreased at the expense of women working on a civil contract and without any contract. The proportion of women with an insecure employment status in 2010 was highest among those aged between 18 and 34.

Nearly a third of women (28%) are forced to hold down a second job to support the household income. This is more prevalent for those living in the main cities and reaches 45% in the capital, Sofia. In smaller towns and villages, success in finding a second job is hindered by the higher unemployment levels.

Undeclared work is still an option for many women

The typical pattern of precariousness in Bulgaria is the high level of undeclared work, especially among young women. For most of this group, informal employment is a compulsory decision imposed by the lack of other options rather than a free choice. Undeclared workers are in a more precarious situation as they lack social security or other employment rights.

The survey data show that 20% of the women worked in the informal economy in the last 6–12 months, while 19% were willing to work but failed to find a job (Figure 2). The data also reveal that the crisis forced more women (20%) to work informally in 2010 than in 2009 (18%). The most vulnerable group are young women aged 18–34 years of whom 24% worked in the informal economy in 2010 (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Did you work without a labour contract recently?(%)

Note: Sample size was 1,280 (that is, all respondents).

Source: ASSA-M (2011)

Figure 3: Did you work without labour contract recently? (%, by age)

Note: Sample size was 1,280 (that is, all respondents).

Source: ASSA-M (2011)

The survey found that the practice of ‘envelope wages’ is widespread. Just 78% of the female respondents received the declared wages, while 12% received more and 5% less than the declared wages. In 2010 the share of women not paying social contributions (10%) increased compared with 2009 (7%). In addition, 6% of women did not pay health contributions in 2010.

A closer look at the data reveals a growing differentiation in the female employment situation in different areas of the country. The most alarming is in Sofia, where only 48% of women received the declared wage; in other big cities and small towns and villages, 77–88% of women received the declared wage.

Employability and job security

Most women feel fear and insecurity for the future due to the high unemployment level and poor prospects for finding job in the official economy. The survey found that 90% of women believe it will be ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ to find another job if they were to lose their current position. The low rate (10%) of ‘yes, easily’ responses reflects the precariousness of women’s situation in times of crisis.

However, the most alarming finding was that 51% of women were ready to work in the informal economy if the job is well paid or for other reasons (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Would you agree to work without labour contract and social security (%)

Note: Sample size was 1,280 (that is, all respondents).

Source: ASSA-M (2011)

High levels of gender pay equality

According to the report’s authors, the most positive finding from the survey is the fact that there is no high perceived gender pay gap. While 59% of women pointed out that there is no gender pay gap, 36% of women consider this gap ‘small’ or ‘insignificant’. Just 3.5% of men and 5% of women take the view that there is a big gender pay gap and 17% of men and 7% of women consider themselves more privileged in the workplace. However, the statistical data show that the average gender pay gap in the fourth quarter of 2010 was 15.7%, with some deviations up and down in individual sectors of the economy.

Reference

ASSA-M (Agency for Social Surveys and Analyses) (2011), Women working in precarious working conditions (in Bulgarian), Sofia.

Nadezhda Daskalova, ISTUR