Globalisation is marked by growing economic interdependence and internationalisation of capital. Some of the important characteristics of this phenomenon are the increasing interconnectedness between societies as a result of the rapid development of communications and growing trade, the invention of new technologies, increased capital mobility and the growing importance of transnational corporations (McGrew 2005: 22). It became increasingly clear that globalization was, from the beginning, a process based on gender discrimination, which meant it affected men and women differently in an economic, social and cultural sense. Global markets, free production zones, and new growth strategies make women the victims of development programmes. In Thailand, Bangladesh, Mexico, China and in many areas of the so-called “Third World”, western capital exploits the cheapest workforce. The governments there have offered their young women to the international capital and were willing to create so-called “free production zones” in which the capital has great freedom. Free production zones are being strongly criticised, because foreign companies do not need to respect any labour protection laws in these areas, and have plenty of room to manoeuvre and to pursue their interests. Critics come too, because the companies don’t need to consider the damage to the environment (Kümbetoglu/Caga 2001: 58).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1 Globalization and its Impact on Women
2.2 Neo-liberalism and Turkish Economy
3. A Cultural Analysis of Turkish Society
3.1 Historical Background: Islam and Reforms
3.2 Work in Turkish Culture
4. Women Labor in Turkey
4.1 Migration and Weakening Social Networks
4.2 Informal Sector
4.3 Free Production Zones
4.4 Women Poverty in Turkey
4.5 Participation of Turkish Women in the Labor Force
4.5.1 Profile of the Women Employment
4.5.2 Reasons for the Low Participation of Women in the Labour Market
5. Conclusion
6. Further Reflection
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to analyze the consequences of globalization on female labor participation in Turkey by examining the intersection of neo-liberal economic policies, cultural patriarchal structures, and historical shifts. The study seeks to investigate why, despite global economic integration, female employment rates in Turkey remain notably low and are characterized by poor working conditions and informality.
- Impact of globalization and neo-liberal structural adjustment programs on women.
- Role of cultural and religious factors in shaping labor force participation.
- Analysis of women's employment profiles, including informal labor and free production zones.
- Barriers to labor market entry, such as the gendered division of labor and discriminatory workplace practices.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Informal Sector
Today it is impossible to evaluate the place of men and women by employment politics without taking the informal sector into consideration. Some scholars point out that women dominate the informal sector, and claim that there are more women in this secto than the official statistics show (Chen et. al 1999: 604). According to estimates there are 500 million people in the world working in the informal sector (Kümbetoglu/ Caga 2000: 61). This makes up one fourth of the working population in the world. 35 per cent of the gross production in the world is done in the informal sector. It has been estimated that the growth rate of formal sector is 1 per cent every year, whereas this proportion is 5 per cent for the informal sector(Chen et. al 1999). In Turkey, 46,2 per cent of the working population work in the informal sector (TÜIK 2007), whereas 23 per cent of them are at poverty risk. The growth of the informal sector after the 1980s can be mainly explained away by two factors: Global economic crisis, and the organization of production by transnational corporations (Kümbetoglu/Caga 2001: 51).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the theoretical link between globalization, gender discrimination, and the exploitation of female labor in developing nations, setting the context for the Turkish case study.
2. Theoretical Framework: Examines four major theories of globalization and discusses how neo-liberal paradigms and structural adjustment programs influence national economies.
3. A Cultural Analysis of Turkish Society: Investigates how historical reforms, religious perceptions, and patriarchal concepts of work influence the societal status of women in Turkey.
4. Women Labor in Turkey: Provides an in-depth analysis of the female labor profile, covering migration, the informal sector, free production zones, and specific obstacles like the gendered division of labor.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that low participation is a multi-dimensional issue rooted in social structures rather than a simple lack of qualifications.
6. Further Reflection: Critically evaluates the promise of global capitalism, suggesting that current economic systems prioritize profit over the welfare and equality of women.
Keywords
Globalisation, Turkey, Female Labour Participation, Neo-liberalism, Informal Sector, Patriarchal Structures, Gender Discrimination, Structural Adjustment, Free Production Zones, Women Poverty, Feminist Economics, Labour Market, Migration, Social Networks, Employment Profile
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The paper examines the impact of economic globalization and neo-liberal policies on the labor force participation of women in Turkey.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The study covers international political economy, development studies, gender studies, cultural sociology, and labor economics within the Turkish context.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to identify why, despite modernization and integration into the global economy, female employment in Turkey remains low and highly precarious.
Which methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a critical perspective, investigating secondary data from the State Institute of Statistics alongside a review of academic literature and structuralist economic theory.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body addresses the theoretical implications of globalization, the historical and cultural barriers in Turkey, and detailed labor market indicators including informal work and poverty statistics.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include globalization, female labor, Turkey, informal sector, neo-liberalism, gender discrimination, and patriarchal division of labor.
How does the author view the influence of the IMF and World Bank?
The author argues that these institutions impose neo-liberal policies that prioritize economic restructuring at the expense of social protection, disproportionately negatively impacting women.
What is the role of the "informal sector" for Turkish women?
The informal sector acts as a primary, yet precarious, source of employment for women who lack formal qualifications or face structural exclusion from the regulated labor market.
How does the headscarf issue affect employment in Turkey according to the text?
The text notes that legal and social polarization regarding the headscarf acts as a significant barrier to women seeking employment in both the public and private sectors.
- Quote paper
- Can Büyükbay (Author), 2009, Consequences of Globalisation on Turkish Women Regarding Labor Participation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/143509
