Discrimination Towards Women Labourers on Construction Sites in India
Extracts, excerpts: two types of construction workers - living in cities - migrants - migrants have a harder time - Women in Informal Employment: Globalising and Organising - no community - living conditions much worse - no water supplies and toilets - nowhere to leave children when work - workers recruited from villages by contractors - contractors responsible for accommodation, transport to and from site, and decide pay and working conditions - Women laborers say paid less than men - Female workers in Delhi earned 250 rupees ($4) a day compared to 450 rupees paid to men for same work. ... But - awakening among contractors - Companies themselves now recognize social care - Basic minimum facilities - crèches provided on sites - Organizations Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) - female trade union - 1.3 million members - say most female laborers unaware of rights - SEWA formed a cooperative of female laborers in Ahmedabad - on-the-job training to develop skills ranging from cleaning, carrying and shoveling to masonry, carpentry and plumbing.---------------- (Verbatim)
"... Across towns and cities in India, it is not uncommon to see women like Kamlesh cleaning building sites, carrying bricks and or shoveling gravel - helping construct the infrastructure necessary for the country's economic and social development.
They help build roads, railway tracks, airports, and offices. They lay pipes for clean water supplies, cables for telecommunications, and dig the drains for sewage systems.
But although women make up at least 20 percent of India's 40 million construction workers, they are less recognized than male workers with lower pay and often prone to safety hazards and sexual harassment. ..."
"... Another challenge faced by women as well as men is the lack of financial compensation when they get sick, say activists.
"Women in the construction industry in India do the lift-and-carry work. They climb the scaffoldings with the bricks and soil on their heads. The hazards they face are often much higher than men," said Chen.
"Their body is their only asset. Safety and health is a big issue. If they are sick or injured and can't work, they lose money. There are no benefits as they work in many different places, for different employers and are paid on a daily basis."
Industry officials admit the discrimination in wages and recognition of skills of female workers, but say attitudes are beginning to change among the country's bigger companies. ..."
Find this at http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-women-construction-idUSKBN0KL00920150112 .
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