Women, Labour Standards, and Labour Organisation

Abstract

The provision of adequate labour standards is of vital significance to women workers in Asia's industrial work forces. Women form a significant proportion of the total labour force - except in South Asia - and in some industries, notably garments, are an overwhelming percentage. Since women generally work in the lowest-paid jobs, with the lowest security of employment, and often work long hours in unsatisfactory working conditions, the acceptance and enforcement of good labour standards and practices has become a matter of critical concern. What is understood by labour standards and how do they become incorporated into national labour laws? What are some of the reasons why, despite considerable pressure for improvement from international and national groups, labour standards for women workers remain below acceptable norms in many Asian countries? How does the weakness of union representation for women workers contribute to the failure of organised labour to exert sufficient pressure for change.