Getting Globalisation to Work for Women

A Manual on Women in the Global Economy

By Daphne Davies

Women experience the effects of trade liberalisation in both their working and domestic lives.

Women as workers may find that the type of work available to them has changed, or the sectors in which they used to have good jobs are being closed down so they are forced to work on an informal basis. Those who care for their families may fi nd that public health and education services have been cut. At the same time the elements that make life run smoothly, such as water and electricity, may cost more and do not function properly because they have been sold to private companies. Some women seek jobs in factories that supply foreign markets with goods, while others continue to farm the land, but under increasing difficulties. Because of the problems of finding work, some highly skilled women seek jobs overseas as domestic servants.

Of course, the above picture is not necessarily typical. Many women have benefited from globalisation and found better jobs in modern manufacturing or services sectors as well. But regardless of the details, the fact remains that globalisation has created major changes in the structure of employment and production, changes that need to be confronted and responded to by trade unions.

Some facts and figures:

• Women constitute 70% of the world's 1.3 billion absolute poor.

• Women make up 60% of the 550 million working poor.

• In 2003 there were only 63 women in the labour force for every 100 men. In the Middle East and North Africa, there are only 36 women to every 100 men.

• About 55% of the female non-agricultural labour force is performing work on an informal basis or otherwise without adequate legal and social protection.

• Women continue to be mainly responsible for the 'care economy'. The value

of their unpaid, invisible work is approximately US$11 trillion per annum.

• Overall, 35.8 million young women (aged 15 - 24) are out of work.

• Globally, women earn 12-60% less than men.

(ICFTU, 2005)