Wage Rate Determinants: A Survey Addressing Christian Minority in Lahore, Pakistan

Noel Alter

Abstract: Socioeconomic status of people in a society is mainly affected by the human capital returns, higher returns mean better living standard and for higher wage returns it is important to address wage rate determinants. First time in Pakistan a research study is carried out to tackle with wage rate determinants at Christian community level. Mincerian (1974) human capital earning function is estimated by taking data of 403 households, yielded an accomplished sample of 614 wage employee. Results elaborate positive and significant association of years of schooling and experience with wage rate. Male gender earns higher returns as compared to female Christian workers while estimated coefficients highlights higher private returns. Attained results affirm serious policy implications for the economic and social improvement and growth strategy of Christian minority of Lahore Pakistan. Every household should focus on education as primary goal for their children especially for girls. Private and public schools should be opened in Christian colonies, financial assistance should be provided and job going parents should be accommodated with educational allowances for their off-springs. Under higher private returns private sector should fix reasonable quota for Christians. Lastly to encourage female Christian workers, social allowances and educational training centers should be introduced.

Keywords: Christians, Wage returns, Estimates, Households, Gander gap

Edition: Volume 2 Issue 7, July 2013,

Pages: 175 - 180