Equality and Decent Work Promotion for Asian women through Prevention of Human Trafficking, Protection of Domestic Workers and Gender Capacity Building

Project description

Intensive economic growth rates in Asia have brought increased employment opportunities for many young women. However, women tend to be over-represented among unpaid family workers, in agriculture and at the low-ranking levels in caring, cleaning, catering, cashiering and clerical occupations, and their incomes are not at par with men’s. Employment opportunities for women cluster around occupations that are often difficult and unacceptable, and in many of these cases, conditions constitute forced labour and human trafficking. For trafficking and forced labour, half of the numbers in forced labour and trafficking are in Asia. For commercial sexual exploitation, 90 percent of victims are women; for labour exploitation the proportion would be around 65 percent.

The global financial crisis may exacerbate gender discrimination in the region as job losses and higher prices for basic commodities may result in low-income families sending women to work in sectors at high risk of labour exploitation and human trafficking. This project is expected to contribute to efforts to alleviate the impact of the crisis.

Project strategy

This RBSA project responds to the cross-cutting priority of gender equality promotion and gender mainstreaming, especially in relation to the regional priority of improved management of labour migration. Acting on the global ILO Action Plans for Gender Equality and against Discrimination in Employment, Forced Labour and Child Labour, this RBSA project contributes to decent work outcomes stipulated in DWCPs as well as (sub) regional knowledge development and sharing on equality and decent work promotion for Asian women through prevention of human trafficking, protection of domestic workers, and gender capacity building.

The three main means of action in each country will consist of a combination of the following: (i) improved legal and policy environments, (ii) institutional strengthening and capacity building, and (iii) advocacy and services for the prevention of fundamental workers’ rights abuses particularly relating to human trafficking and in vulnerable occupations such as domestic work.

Key partners

• All Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI)
• Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI)
• Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union Confederation (KSBSI)
• Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo)
• Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
• Implementing partners of the Migrant workers and IPEC projects