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Economic Crisis on Women Workers
Published: 13 March 2009
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| Since 2008, the major concern of high food and commodity inflation is that it would erode social progress. This threatens to exacerbate the impact of the current crisis on the poor. With the expected decline in foreign direct investment in 2009 is likely to exacerbate the problem. If the increase competition for investment is based solely on low comparative cost and at the expense of fundamental labour standards – this “race to the bottom” strategy is likely to erode workers’ rights and competitiveness over time. Another concern was that sub-contract, casual, temporary and overseas migrant workers are among the most vulnerable to job cuts and job loses can be especially to these groups, as many non-regular workers do not qualify for the severance pay or benefits to which their regular counterparts are entitled. It is expected that there will be an expansion of the informal economy with the accompanying risk of an existing share of workers in precarious and hazardous employment. Based on a pessimist scenario, ILO projections in the Apro region reflect that the number of unemployment could surge by 23.3 million to an unemployment rate of 5.9% where vulnerable employment could grow by 60 million with increase in working poverty of more than 140 million people by 2009 and a high risk of an increase in child labour In the workshop, the 200 odd participants were told that some of the National policy responses to the crisis included:- Promoting employment Supporting household purchasing power; consumption Stimulus geared towards infrastructure projects; generate employment Stimulus aim at business Social transfers; trigger domestic spending and protecting the poor and vulnerable Investment in schools, hospital, free education and affordable health care. While stimulus on employment includes, unemployment benefit options, increasing welfare payments, government purchases of goods and services, tax deductions, public spending programmes, social transfers and unemployment insurance – the issue of a more focused stimulus plan on women are not in place. Random studies revealed that they are not only more effected by the crisis in terms of retrenchment, but also face more difficulties in accessing governmental help and thus more susceptible to end up in the informal economy, sliding into poverty. In developing Asia, the labour market was impacted through the export manufacturing channel – not only labour intensive but also course of a majority of women workers who have been disproportionately susceptible to job cuts. Women are more likely to be harder hit by raising unemployment: even in the most optimistic scenario, the number of unemployed women would raise by 14.4% as compared with 3.8% for men. Ensuring that the composition of the jobs created is spread across different categories of workers, including women workers will also help to guarantee that the stimulus package carry the maximum benefit. Thailand’s Labour Minister, Mr Paitoo Kaewthong referred to the distribution of 2,000 bath to every worker whose income lies below the amount of 15,000 baht, to compensate the current financial problems and to stimulate the economy. After hearing the demands from the group presented by Ms Wilaiwan Saetia, President of Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, for better protection against mass lay offs, lack of social security and victimization against trade union and its leaders, Mr Paitoo Kaewthong reported that an amendment on the social security is currently under review and he hope to look up the matter in his ministry. Dr Voravidh Charoenloet, professor of economics at the Chiangmai University said that is done in Thailand is not enough. He demanded that more sustainable measures need to be taken including the possibility for Thailand to be a welfare state with a progressive tax system. “Our women demands for equal assess to emergency funds, skills-training and the possibility of self employment” said Ms. Ploenpit Sridiri, President of the Women Workers’ Unity Group. Alice Chang hopes that the crisis works as a catalyst for further tripartite cooperation with the initiative to continue to improve labour- management consultations. Above all, the crises cannot be taken as an excuse for the erosion of the fundamental rights to work; Freedom of Association, The Rights to Collective Bargaining, The elimination of all forms of compulsory labour, The abolition of child labour and The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation She stressed for the need to have Social Dialogue that can and must provide a constructive approach for workers and employers to prevent conflict from the outset and to ensure not only respect for fundamental labour rights but also enterprise sustainability. Trade unions and social partners must ensure that women are not forgotten in the crisis. After the Workshop, the women in held a press conference to demand the ratification of the ILO’s core labour standard in Thailand and will go to the street on 8th March 2009 to demonstrate the need for the government to show its sincerity to assist the workers. “The Economic Crisis and Women Workers” in Bangkok on 8Mar09 was organized by the Women Workers Unity Group and Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES) and amongst its distinguish guests are Mr Paitoon Koewthong, Thailand’s Labour Minister, Ms Ploenpit Srisiri, President of Women Workers Unity Group and Ms Vesna Rodic, Director of FES. Alice Chang Director of Commerce, UNI Apro was invited as a panel speaker |
