Cambodian workers are seen in a local footwear manufacturing plant

Global challenges - Global solutions podcast

Working in apparel and footwear manufacturing: How does technological upgrading and automation affect women?

4 September 2023

© Marcel Crozet / ILO

The workforce in the clothing and footwear manufacturing sector is often predominantly made up of female workers. Though these jobs require a high degree of skills, they are often underpaid, insecure and characterized by an uncertain future, in particular because of the risk of being replaced by automated equipment. So, how are women in the apparel and footwear manufacturing sectors affected by automation and technological upgrading? And do these factors favour men over women? In this podcast we’ll examine these issues with the ILO’s Valeria Esquivel, Employment Policies and Gender Specialist, and Senior economist David Kucera.

This podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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Speakers

  • Photo of Valeria Esquivel
    Valeria Esquivel
    Employment Policies and Gender Specialist Employment, Labour Markets and Youth Branch ILO Employment Policy Department
  • Photo of David Kucera
    David Kucera
    Senior Economist, Development and Investment Branch ILO Employment Policy Department

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