Incentivos importan muchísimo

It seems to have become International Ladies' Day at HSIB, so, we answer the question, Chile, What have we exported to you lately;

Culture of ‘machismo’

According to [Teresa] Valdés [coordinator of the Observatory on Gender and Equity], there are cultural factors underlying wage inequality in Chile. 

“There is a chauvinist idea in Chile that women [should] earn a secondary income, that they merely complement the husband’s salary,” she said. “This idea has become old-fashioned. Now, 30 percent of Chilean women are breadwinners.” 

Las matemáticas son difíciles en Chile también.

She also mentioned other cultural ideas that are tied to wage inequality such as different social tasks assigned to men and women. In the labor market, female workers are concentrated in domestic service, commerce and education — areas considered to be “feminine” and underpaid. 

“The social order assigns different tasks to men and women,” Valdés said. 

Otherwise known as 'the choices people make'.

This problem also persists in better paid areas such as medicine. Women make up the majority of dermatologists, pediatricians, radiologists and nurses — all considered to be classically feminine fields in Chile. Men have a stronger presence in surgery, which is a better paid medical sector. 

Which is the case virtually everywhere, because becoming a surgeon is more demanding than becoming a dermatologist. Fewer doctors qualify, so the remuneration is higher. If there are idiosyncratic laws or customs in Chile that prevent women from becoming surgeons (or any other highly paid occupation) then work to change them.

Speaking of which;

“The professional journey of a woman is marked with every child she has,” Valdés said.

Women usually take a step back from the office when having children as they’re expected to balance motherhood and work. This makes women less favorable candidates for employment and hinders them from advancing in their career, she said. 

For women in financial difficulty, the government offers help in health and education through “Chile Crece Contigo (Chile Grows with You)” — a protection system for children under four years old.  

For working women in better conditions, legislation establishes that every company with 20 women workers or more must provide nursery services to their employees, whether it be annexed to the workplace or paid for by the company. 

Although this helps women relieve tension between work and maternity, it may be a disincentive for companies to hire more women. 

We'll bet the Chicago Boys knew this.