Opportunities For Paid Employment Research Articles

The human right to safely give birth: data from 193 countries show that gender equality does affect maternal mortality

BackgroundWhile a reduction in the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has slowed, newer strategies are needed to achieve an ongoing and sustainable reduction of the MMR. Previous studies have investigated the association between health system-related factors such as wealth inequalities, healthcare access and use on maternal mortality. However, a women’s rights-based approach to address MMR has not been studied, excluding the health system-related factors. This study aimed to analyse the association between gender equality and MMR globally.MethodsUsing structural equation modelling (SEM), secondary and open access data from the United Nations and other international agencies from 193 countries were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Gender-sensitive variables that represented the theoretical, conceptual framework of the study were selected. The association between latent variable gender equality and the outcome, MMR, was examined in the SEM. A second SEM model (n = 158) was designed to include two variables related to gender-based violence.FindingsThe latent variable, gender equality, was negatively associated with MMR (p < 0‧001, Z = –6‧96, 95% CI: − 6508.98 to − 3141.89 for Model 1 and p < 0‧001, Z = –7‧23, 95% CI: − 6045.356 to − 3467.515 for Model 2).InterpretationGender equality was significantly associated with maternal mortality. Investing in higher education for women, improving their paid employment opportunities, increasing participation in leadership roles and politics, reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) and ending child marriage can significantly reduce maternal mortality.

Coping with migration-related stressors - a qualitative study of Nepali male labour migrants

BackgroundInternational labour migration has become a crucial livelihood strategy, especially in countries where decently paid employment opportunities are limited. Such opportunities come with many potential benefits but also many stressors that challenge migrants’ coping skills, especially when they are in a foreign environment away from their normal support network. This paper explores how labour migrants coped with migration-related stressors using a sample of male Nepali migrants.MethodsQualitative life histories were conducted in Kathmandu among returnee male migrants. Coping responses were categorised based Skinner and Zimmer-Gembeck’s coping typologies. The interview scripts were transcribed in Nepali and translated into English for analysis. Each interview script was open coded and then categorised according to the 12 core coping families. Data were analysed thematically to explore relationships across and within coping and stressors.ResultsForty-two men were interviewed who mainly worked in low- and semi-skilled jobs in Malaysia, and the Gulf States. The coping strategies most commonly used belonged to the families of problem-solving, support-seeking, negotiation and helplessness. Men used these either individually or collectively with other migrants. Those who sought assistance from authorities or civil society organisations did not always receive the help needed and there were mixed messages as to when and what types of assistance were available. Some stressors involved multiple coping strategies simultaneously, others described changing strategies following unsuccessful earlier attempts. The coping families of helplessness and social isolation reflected migrants’ limited power in challenging certain stressors. The choice of coping strategies was also moderated by factors such as outstanding loans, language difficulties, or not wanting to cause their family distress. Some coping strategies used led to new stressors.ConclusionsMigrants need greater clarifications on their rights with respect to contract discrepancies, the types of support available, how and from whom to access them once in destination. Improvements to the support mechanisms migrants can access as well as strengthening migrant-led initiatives in destination countries to support labour migrants' in managing stressors are needed. These may contribute to reducing the experiences and impact of such stressors, which may ultimately lead to more successful migration outcomes. As labour migration from Nepal is likely to continue, government and CSOs need to ensure migrants have the support they need to cope with the challenges they may encountered along the way.

Earned Income and Women's Segmented Empowerment: Experimental Evidence from Jordan

AbstractDoes earning income empower women in patriarchal societies? We conducted two original experiments in Jordan investigating how patriarchal norms constrain the effects of relative earned income on women's bargaining power and women's preferences for paid employment opportunities. In the first experiment, we randomized women's relative earned income in a bargaining lab game involving male and female partners. Women with higher incomes than their partners behave more efficaciously than women with lower incomes. They are only more influential over bargaining outcomes, however, when paired with women, not men. We then employed a conjoint survey experiment using hypothetical job opportunities to assess how the prospect of higher incomes and working alongside men affect women's job preferences. Though higher wages make jobs more desirable, mixed‐sex work spaces are a strong deterrent. Together, these findings demonstrate that patriarchal norms constrain women's desire to engage in paid labor and segment the empowering effects of earning income.

Women Participation in MSMEs

With limited data and information, this paper aims to examine the recent developments in women participation/entrepreneurs in India.. This paper focuses on women entrepreneurs in micro, small and medium enterprises. The objective of the paper is: a) to estimate the ratio of women labor force in micro, small and medium enterprises, b) women share in registered and unregistered MSMEs, c) to identify the socioeconomic problems faced by women, d) credit availability, e) development of women entrepreneurship under planning. The findings of the paper shows that women form a category of “forced” entrepreneurs seeking to supplement their family incomes. A larger share of the women workforce belongs to the poor families or lower middle income group. Our findings also comes up with the fact that even after six decades of independence, women participation is just 10-13% of the in micro, small and medium enterprises. The recent trends show that when women are better educated and have better paid employment opportunities, then participation of women might decline in SMEs and they may move towards large scale industries.

Esso Highlands Limited—committed to world's best practice assessment processes for the PNG LNG Project

The PNG LNG Project is a major resource project in Papua New Guinea that should double the GDP of PNG and provide significant benefits to numerous remote, regional and metropolitan communities. Through a commitment to providing optimal training and employment opportunities for PNG nationals, Esso Highlands Limited is recruiting candidates from all over PNG to take up training and employment opportunities. One opportunity for PNG candidates is the Operations and Maintenance Technician Traineeship Program. This involves 18 months of preparatory training in Port Moresby and 12 months at advanced technical training facilities overseas followed by up to 24 months on the job training at the actual facility; either the Hides gas conditioning plant in the Southern Highlands or at the LNG plant outside Port Moresby in PNG. This program is structured to establish a highly-trained workforce of more than 150 technicians for key operational roles in the PNG LNG Project. A nationwide recruitment drive attracted more than 8,000 applicants. Although the scale of this response—in a country with poor socio-economic conditions and limited paid employment opportunities—was anticipated, the linguistic and cultural diversity of the candidates provided a major challenge for Esso Highlands. The challenge involved how to appropriately and fairly assess and select the required number of trainees from this massive pool of candidates. To address some of the assessment and selection needs, Esso Highlands Limited commissioned ValueEdge Consulting in light of their experience and expertise in delivering similar culturally appropriate assessment programs throughout Australia and southeast Asia. This presentation will provide an overview of the staged assessment model used to select the 76 most suitable candidates from the original 8,000 applicants for the first traineeship program, which commenced in Port Moresby in July 2010. The success of this recruitment program in a culturally, linguistically and educationally diverse country is highlighted by the fact that another significant-sized group of the candidates were retained by Esso Highlands Limited in internship positions—this is in addition to the 76 candidates selected for trainee positions. Due to the high-calibre talent pool attracted by this opportunity and assessed through this program, the extended pool of retained candidates enabled Esso Highlands Limited to meet their needs for the traineeships and also to identify suitable candidates to fulfill a range of their other training and employment opportunities. This presentation will outline details of the selection methods and tools used for the assessment of: training potential, technical aptitude, interpersonal skills, technical knowledge, team work, and individual competencies. The presentation also outlines a model for other green-field sites in countries where traditional recruitment methodologies are ineffective or culturally and linguistically biased against the local population.

Women entrepreneurship in Asian developing countries: Their development and main constraints

With limited data and information, this paper aims to examine recent developments of women entrepreneurship in Asian developing countries. This issue is currently very important since it is part of ongoing national efforts to alleviate poverty in developing countries in relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Greater opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs (or to have better income paid jobs) will help much in poverty reduction. .Methodologically, this study is based on data analysis and a review of recent key literature. This paper focuses only on women entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises. The findings of this study show three main important facts. First, SMEs are of overwhelming importance in the region, as they account, on average per country, for more than 95% of all firms in all sectors. Second, the representation of women entrepreneurs is still relatively low which can be attributed to factors such as low level of education, lack of capital, and cultural or religious constraints. Third, most of women entrepreneurs in SMEs are from the category of “forced” entrepreneurs seeking for better family incomes. This suggests that when women are better educated and have better paid employment opportunities increase for women, the participation of women as entrepreneurs in SMEs may decline. Key words: SMEs, women entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, gender, Asian developing countries.

Nejméně rozvinuté země v mezinárodním společenství a jejich postup ke splnění rozvojových cílů milénia

The aim of this paper is to describe the current situation of the least developed countries (LDCs). After briefly explaining their historical development, this paper presents the current definition criteria for LDCs as well as their up-to-date list. The position of the LDCs within the international community is briefly explained on the example of changing strategies of international development partners towards achieving progress in the LDCs. Finally, the progress of the LDCs towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is assessed. The assessment shows that if the current development is not accelerated, the majority of the MDGs will not be met by 2015 as planned. In the recent past it was thought that the right way to speed up the economic and social developments in the LDCs is their growing engagement in international trade. This paper shows empirical evidence of the impacts international trade has had on the LDCs' economies in the recent past. It proves again that the solution for the LDCs does not lie in any single measure. To significantly decrease the proportion of the population living in poverty in any country, the country must be able to provide its people with a sufficient number of paid employment opportunities.

Similarities and Differences Across the Factors Associated with Women’s Self-employment Preference in the Nordic Countries

The trend in women’s self-employment appeared to be upward in the 1980s and 1990s, but women are still less likely than men to start new businesses. The economic growth potential in most industrialized countries is gendered, and with lack of paid employment opportunities, more hopes are targeted towards women’s entrepreneurship. We will explore women’s self-employment preferences across Scandinavian countries,1 and the influence and importance of societal and individual factors affecting self-employment preferences and their similarities and differences. Perception of self-employment skills arises across the countries as the most salient factor predicting self-employment preference. The multivariate models differ across the countries, thus challenging the existence of a universal Scandinavian model that explains the entrepreneurial activities of women. This article makes two contributions. First, we show that gender has become a key element in new firm formation activities. Second, we contribute to entrepreneurial theories by demonstrating similarities and differences across the countries and adding the importance of structural issues for explaining gender and entrepreneurial activities.

Network page

In this issue we offer profiles of Wakefield JobNet and Catering Plus ‐ both employment initiatives developed by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. Wakefield JobNet is an Intermediate Labour Market project offering work experience, skills training and job search support to unemployed people within time‐limited, but paid, employment opportunities. Catering Plus is a social enterprise specifically designed to offer paid employment opportunities but within a more supportive work environment. Both projects are working successfully with individuals with mental health problems but serving individuals with overlapping but different needs. The development of both these models in Wakefield clearly illustrates the need to develop multiple options in each locality.

Women's Work In Regional Labour Markets: Spatial Versus Industry Differences

This article reviews the impact of space on paid employment opportunities for women in regional areas of New South Wales. Regional labour markets have been categorised according to the distinct industry of major employment (O ‘Connor and Gordon, 1989: 212–214): agricultural regions; manufacturing regions undergoing structural change; natural resource regions; resort and retirement regions; isolated areas. The research compares six regional labour markets in New South Wales that fall into the categories of agricultural regions, natural resource regions and resort and retirement regions. It compares industry and occupation for men and women between these regions and with the metropolitan region. The article concludes that the labour market for women is more constrained in regional areas than in the metropolitan area. In addition, the article examines the differences in female and male labour markets between the three regional types and examines whether the variation in women's employment between regional types is as great as the variation for men. Differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan labour market outcomes are pervasive regardless of industry differences between regions. A starting point for labour market policy (for example, equal employment opportunity) is an acknowledgement of this fundamental spatial difference.

Perceived health, life satisfaction, and activity in urban elderly: a controlled study of the impact of part-time work.

To determine whether part-time employment affects the perceived health, life satisfaction and activity of urban retirees, 25 experimental and 30 control subjects were selected randomly from a pool of 98 elderly applicants in a demonstration employment program for retirees. Program participants were hired to perform park maintenance and beautification work for 20 hours per week. Structured interviews conducted at the end of the 6-month program revealed significant, positive effects of paid employment on measures of perceived health and life satisfaction. Only one of the control subjects had found alternative part-time employment 6 months following randomization. These findings suggest that the provision of optional, paid employment opportunities can have demonstrably positive effects upon the well-being of retirees.