The COVID-19 Pandemic: Female Workers’ Social Sustainability in Global Supply Chains

Aymen Sajjad,Gabriel Eweje

doi:10.3390/su132212565

Abstract

This review article investigates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on female workers in the global supply chain context. To this end, we reviewed and critically examined emerging scholarly literature as well as policy documents and reports published by international development organizations concerning female workers’ social sustainability, livelihood, and health and wellbeing issues in global supply chain operations. Thus, this article focuses on female workers’ issues in emerging and developing economies where the ongoing pandemic continues to devastate and create multidimensional social and economic challenges for the wellbeing and social sustainability of female workers. Our analysis suggests that female workers are facing serious socioeconomic challenges that continue to affect their wellbeing, mental health, and livelihoods. Accordingly, it is imperative that international development organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), trade associations, governments, and most importantly the corporate sector not only consider individual responsibility for promoting female workforce social sustainability in global supply chains but also actively collaborate to address pressing social sustainability issues vis à vis female workers. Building on these findings, the implications for future research, practice, and policies are discussed.

Highlights

This review article investigates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on female workers in the global supply chain context
In this review article, we investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on female workforce social sustainability and wellbeing in global supply chains
We conducted an extensive review of academic literature, reports published by international developmental organizations, and contemporary narratives on female workers’ social sustainability in global supply chains

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a twin threat to the lives and livelihoods of the global population, affecting over 210 nations and regions around the globe. As female workers are more vulnerable to discrimination and inequities in lower- and middle-income nations due to various system-related bottlenecks [30], it is worthwhile to investigate the impacts of the pandemic in the context of the developing world [27]. Economic and structural barriers have created some additional challenges in terms of managing gender-specific vulnerabilities and promoting gender-inclusive social sustainability enhancements in the global supply chains of developing countries [31]. Against this background, the purpose of this article is to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on female workers in global supply chain operations and to propose potential pathways for improvement to female workers’.

Social Sustainability

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Vulnerable Workforce in Global Supply Chains

COVID-19 and Female Workers’ Social Sustainability

Policy Implications—The Role of Governments

Future Research Agenda and Implications

Findings

Conclusions