Sweatshop wages and unpaid domestic work

Growing economic disparities and lack of gender equality are hampering the fight against poverty in Asia. This is according to a new report released by Oxfam on the occasion of the World Economic Forum summit in Malaysia.

The report shows that the economic growth experienced by the region has not benefited everyone. Poor women are the biggest losers, working long shifts, in unsafe conditions, while taking the main responsibility for unpaid domestic work.

Overworked and underpaid

Low wages and substandard working conditions have been a way for major exporting nations to maintain their competitive advantage in the global market, especially in female-dominated sectors. This low-wage model has created large economic gaps and disadvantages women, whose work is generally valued less than men's.

The lack of gender equality is reflected in both wages and working conditions. Asian women earn on average 10-30% less than Asian men and 75% of the continent's women work in the informal economy, under precarious working conditions, without a social safety net.

Many Asian women today live on minimum wages that are far below the estimated income required for a decent standard of living. Women also do most of the unpaid domestic work, with little or no social support. An Asian woman typically spends more than twice as much time on domestic work as an Asian man.

The way forward

Oxfam is calling on Asian governments and business leaders to introduce fair wages, expand social safety nets and invest more in essential social services that can relieve the burden of double working women. Another important step is to introduce more progressive tax policies that can help finance the above reforms.

Women's economic independence is a key element in the fight against poverty. Why is this so? Because the majority of poor people in the world are women. With economic independence comes power and influence, both in the social and political spheres. With the support of governments, businesses and civil society, we can create a world where secure jobs, with a living wage, are the rule rather than the exception. Help us make a difference!