Women in the Global Industrial Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities
This article explores the impact of women's industrial labor in the larger context of global economic changes, such as debt crisis, export-oriented growth, and globalization. It examines the specific challenges faced by women in maquiladoras, industrialization in Latin America, and the shift to neoliberalism, affecting households, class, and gender dynamics.
Women in the Global Industrial Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities
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Presentation Transcript
Women & Work The “Formal” Sector
Katheryn Ward & Jean Larson: “Women’s industrial labor & its relation to informal & household work can be understood only in the larger context of changes in the world economy”
3 Major transformations: • Debt crisis • Export-oriented growth promoted by IMF • Globalization of production promoted by MNCs
Maquiladoras: The Global Assembly Line • N. Mexico – economic enclave operating on neoliberal principles • Transition to gendered labor processes • Feminization of the work force • Least skilled jobs • Cheapened wages • $25-$35/week
Industrialization in Latin America • Male employment • Secure jobs • Wages • Social benefits • Union organization • Shift to Neoliberalism • Women were central to deregulation, casualization, flexibilization of labor
These bring changes to households, class & gender relations • Gender is a relationship in the process of formation
The Debate • Apologists: • Generate jobs, provide new work opportunities for women • Critics: • Increase Mexico’s economic dependence • Eliminate domestic production • More jobs lost than created • Lack unionization • Contribute to environmental degradation
Some Specifics: • Only 10% unionized • Long hours, forced overtime • Unsafe working conditions • Blacklisting • Unsuitable housing • Pregnancy testing (avoid maternity leave) • Pressure to leave (avoid paying benefits) • Relocation for lower wages