What is the problem faced by women workers?
The discrimination that women face worldwide is the greatest hidden injustice of our times. Women make up 60% to 90% of the workforce in developing countries exporting food and clothes to UK supermarkets. While it may not be an explicit strategy, the supermarkets’ supply chains are built around the exploitation of poor women, which we think is unfair.
Women around the world are more likely to live in poverty, simply because they are women. Women have less power, money, protection from violence, access to land or decent employment. Because of their unequal position in society, women are often denied access to the most desirable work in global supply chains. In order to earn money, women frequently have no choice but to accept the lowest paid, most dangerous jobs, often as informal or temporary workers who are denied the same rights and benefits as permanent staff.
What about exploited male workers?
ActionAid's demands for tough rules to stop supermarkets from bullying their farm and factory suppliers will benefit both women and men workers. We're highlighting the abuse of women workers' rights because inequalities between women and men in society often mean women get the most insecure jobs, with the lowest pay and worst conditions. Two thirds of the poorest people are women. If we don’t fight for their rights, we won’t end poverty.
At least these people have jobs - what's the problem?
Just about all of the women workers we interviewed in our research told us they struggle to provide adequate food for themselves and their families. Jobs created by global supply chains do have the potential to lift women out of poverty, by empowering them, giving them economic independence and greater equality in the household. But, poor quality jobs instead serve to reinforce women’s unequal position in society. Working long hours for low pay in dangerous conditions can further reinforce women’s subordinated position, making it impossible for them to escape poverty.
