Gender-Responsive Health Protection - News

Women in the clothing and footwear industry: The workplace is becoming a health risk

In order to create a more gender-sensitive system for occupational safety and health, our partner organisations Cividep (India) and the Trade Unions Right Centre (TURC, Indonesia) have each conducted a study on the specific risks for women in the world of work.

One of the most common threats to women's health in the workplace is the high, often unrealistic, production targets. They force female workers to avoid breaks and spend a long working day in a rigid posture. This stress and lack of rest also leads to a higher risk of workplace accidents such as eye injuries, burns or bruises. A worker interviewed by TURC reported a miscarriage as a result of a fall at work.

Among work-related health risks, Cividep and TURC studies identified several risk areas, such as musculoskeletal or reproductive and mental health impairments. Gender-based violence and harassment, malnutrition and dehydration or contact with hazardous work materials increase the risk. These gender-specific risks are exacerbated by inadequate and inadequate access to free or affordable healthcare. As a result, employees spend 25-30% of their wages on health care.

TARC's research has also looked at the situation of homeworkers in the footwear industry, once again highlighting the importance of occupational health and safety. Home workers often do not have an employment contract and are therefore not legally recognized as employees and the rights associated with them. This is an important aspect that needs to be taken into account for more comprehensive gender-specific occupational health and safety.

The studies also show that there is an urgent need for a gender-equitable system for occupational safety and health. The multidimensional marginalities at the intersection of gender, migration status, disability, work status and many other factors must be taken into account. This can only be achieved through a coordinated approach and the joint responsibility of all relevant actors in the global supply chain.

Learn more in the two studies summarized in this report.

Topic

Gender-equitable health protection

Details

2024, English, 12 Pages, DIN A4

Download

Worn out for Fast Fashion PDF, 7,5 MB

The baseline studies for this report