Salary gaps widest with senior execs

When top Chinese leaders revealed that they were toying with the idea of a pay raise for all public servants, the news quickly touched off a wave of criticism and debate. Many were quick to express hostility based on popular beliefs that government workers already enjoy salary benefits and perks which easily outrival those afforded to most private sector employees.

But today, the biggest earnings gaps aren't between public and private sector workers, but between top executives and middle-class employees.

In many cases, comparing the income of an average civil servant and a typical CEO is like comparing an anthill to Mount Everest. What's more, many of these same senior managers earn hundreds of times more than their lowest-level employees.

But apparently this isn't enough for some executives. A movement is underway to compensate Chinese executives with wages that are on par with their Western peers. But is it right for these leaders to suddenly enjoy foreign-level pay while conditions remain unchanged for their underlings?