Workforce Diversity in Ports: The Global and the LAC Perspectives

Abstract

Cargo-handling in seaports has traditionally been male dominated. However, the former need for “brawn” has been replaced with “brain and aptitude” to operate more sophisticated equipment. Today, women are increasingly being recruited as port employment has become less physical with women performing equally well as men. This chapter examines the challenges women face in traditional male workplaces and suggests steps for ports to attract women workers. It outlines how the Maritime Employers Association overcame resistance to workplace diversity in the Port of Montreal. Further, female port workers’ challenges and opportunities globally, Latin America and Caribbean, are outlined with approaches proposed to improve working environments to attract women port workers. The chapter is based on previous Maritime Employers Association’s (MEA) research on best port labor practices and how the MEA overcame resistance to workplace diversity in the Port of Montreal. The challenges and opportunities for females in ports globally as well as in Latin and Central America and the Caribbean are outlined along with steps that can be taken by ports to improve their working environments to interest women in port jobs.