Female labor in Egyptian manufacturing sector: The demand side story

Abstract

This study investigated demand for female labor in Egyptian manufacturing sector. It utilized information provided in the C13 together with data from the ELMPS2012 to estimate wage rate by gender in the C13 and then estimated a labor demand function for females. Determinants included in the analysis covered firm characteristics as well as industry specific characteristics. Results indicated a positive association between female employment on one side and micro and small sized firms and firms that export on the other side. While it suggested a negative association between capital employed by the firm and female labor indicating substitutability. Moreover, results confirmed the important role played by industries in determining female labor demand. Were number of females employed by firms is higher in industries with higher share of firms that export, and in high technology industries. Accordingly, promoting female employment require more openness and integration into global markets and hence more exports specially in labor-intensive. In addition, more attention should be given to policies that encourage and promote micro-startups. Finally, more attention should be given to encouraging high technology industries like Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, where the highest association with female employment was evidence.