The Hindu Business Line : `Food, textile sectors growth not benefiting women workers'

EVEN though the textile and food processing industry have seen substantial export-led growth in the post-liberalisation period, it has failed to effect much improvement in the situation of workers, especially the women workers in this segment, according to a study done by the Delhi-based Centre for Social Research (CSR).

"Though there has been a boom in the employment of women in both these sectors in the post liberalisation period, they continue to languish with stagnant wage rates and unhealthy working conditions," says the study - Gender Impact of WTO on Women's Livelihood in India. The study, is supported by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem).

Dr Veena Jha, India Programme Coordinator, Unctad, pointed out: "Gender dimensions of the WTO have not been researched in a comprehensive manner. The impact of the WTO is not only restricted to trade in goods and services but has moved to several areas of domestic policy with potential significant effects on women. There is a need to study its gender effects in a systematic way, particularly with a view to sensitising trade negotiators."

Based on secondary research, the study found that the increasing mechanisation of the textiles sector could pose a threat to women's jobs because women tend to be employed in greater numbers in the more labour-intensive processes.

The study emphasised that many of the jobs created in the food-processing sector were very casual in nature and that women workers are over-represented in part-time work and in the unorganised sector.

The report recommended that while formulating policies, the Government should give attention to the welfare of workers particularly the women in the industry.

Further, it also recommended that the Government impart training to women to upgrade skills so that they can adapt to changing needs of technology and modernisation.

According to Dr Ranjana Kumari, Director, CSR, the textiles and food-processing sectors were selected for study due to the large proportion of women employed in these industries and because both industries have experienced substantial export-led growth in the post-liberalisation period.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
SAIL plants achieve over 100 pc capacity utilisation

Govt issues orders to ISPs — `Block separatist outfit's e-group'

ABP to hold 74 pc, Star 26 pc in MCCS

`Food, textile sectors growth not benefiting women workers'

We have to pick up the threads from Cancun: Jaitley

R.P. Goenka keen to step down, may hand over CESC charge to son Sanjiv