Sexism is a form of discrimination based on gender. It claims that one sex, (traditionally male) is superior to the other.

The foregoing is compounded by the practice in many patriarchal societies where women are viewed as the "weaker sex" relegated to doing domestic cares and household chores.

While sexism may be evident in many sectors of a society, it is said to cause the greatest havoc at the workplace, evidenced by unfair recruitment practices, unequal pay and intimidating behaviour.

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Labour ministry to address gender disparity in farm work programme

Got strong muscles? Hard physical specimens - i.e., males from Jamaica continue to earn the lion's share of income from overseas work programmes.

The Economic, Social Survey of Jamaica 2008 indicates that, in keeping with long-standing tradition, participants in the United States (US) Farm Work Programme, and the Canadian Farm and Factory Programme continued to be predominantly male, 100 per cent and 97.6 per cent, respectively.

However, females were in the majority in the US Hospitality Programme and the Canadian Hospitality Programme, 58 per cent and 54.2 per cent respectively.

But men are the ones taking home most of the money earned. Since the start of the year, approximately 6,848 Jamaican workers have gained employment in the US and Canada through overseas programmes offered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS).

Approximately 4,848 persons departed between January to August under various employment programmes in Canada. According to the MLSS, the farm work programme continued to attract much interest with 4,721 persons leaving the island to work on farms up to the end of August. Other workers have been engaged in mushroom harvesting, window cleaning, construction activities, tree planting, seafood packing, the fast food industry and the hydroponics sector.

Women are traditionally recruited as housekeepers, cooks and kitchen assistants in the industry.

Up to June of this year, 5,539 males were employed, compared to 351 females.

This gender disparity is being addressed by the MLSS and other stakeholders, the MLSS said in a release this week, adding that this will be done "even as they seek to ensure that females are not subjected to overly harsh working conditions".

The bulk of workers continue to find jobs on farms (fruit and vegetable processing) and in hotels. However, persons are being sent to non-traditional skilled areas such as welding and pipe fitting and low-skilled jobs in mushroom harvesting and seafood packing.

economic challenges

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles, has said the increasing numbers was is in keeping with the ministry's stated mandate of job creation and development of human capital, despite the economic challenges.

Two thousand and four workers left the island between January and August for the US.

According to the data from the ministry's Overseas Employment Services, 60 persons were engaged in the hospitality programme, while 1,841 gained employment on farms. Another 103 were dispatched under the J1 Work and Travel (summer) programme.

The data showed that the highest departures under the Canadian programme were recorded in April when 1,054 persons left mainly for farm work and seafood packing. The next highest months were July (833) and May (732). Under the US programmes, the highest departures were recorded in July (502), May (334) and April (307).

Minister Charles noted that there is urgent need to diversify the skills of Jamaican workers to take advantage of job opportunities as they arise, so the emphasis would be on training and certification.

partnership

Currently, the ministry is in partnership with select Canadian colleges for Jamaican students to participate in work-study programmes in culinary arts as well as automotive trades such as service technicians, automotive painters and auto collision repair technicians.

Under special arrangements, practical nurses are also being trained at Jamaican educational institutions (Pre-University College, Brown's Town Community College, Knox Community College) to become certified Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Canada.

avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com