Gendered labour markets and globalization in Asia

Abstract

This chapter argues that processes of economic globalization have significantly transformed labour markets in Asia during the last three decades. A central feature of this transformation is the growing importance of female labour at the core of economic processes. This feature has been extensively discussed by feminist economists and anthropologists but has received relatively little attention in macro-policy debates. At best, policies towards women workers are viewed as welfare measures of primary interest to the women themselves. The chapter argues that such a view is shortsighted and its limitations are becoming evident in the context of the recent economic crisis.