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Distance Education for Women Workers in the EPZs. Background and Justification. Export Processing Zones or “Oppression Zones”?. EPZs- the catalysts of globalization. FDIs. Employment. Exports. Technology and skills. Oppression Zones: management is military style. Labor laws not applied.
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Background and Justification Export Processing Zones or “Oppression Zones”? EPZs- the catalysts of globalization • FDIs • Employment • Exports • Technology and skills
Oppression Zones: management is military style • Labor laws not applied • Rampant anti union activity • Government afraid of losing foreign factories • Factories afraid of losing brand name buyers • Workers are afraid of losing their unstable jobs • High Turnover rate is not a problem to the companies
85% of the workers are women Women are preferred – has industry related skills and are less likely to demand this, a high turnover rate and anti union activity reduces the ability of the workers to fight for their rights
The problems: 1.Gender issues • Double Burdens • No time to discuss gender issues • No time for union work • Women rights’ Women has more complex issues (sexual harassment,domestic violence,etc.)
Hence, • Women need to discuss • Women needs to be sensitised and be aware of their rights
The problems: 2. Social preconditions • 1: 0.47 ratio • Discrimination • Socially limiting definitions of women • Lack of skills in Computers • Nowhere to go
Therefore, • There is a need for capacity building for women • on Information technology • The social preconditions on women’s capabilities must be broken
The problems: 3. Women Leadership and policy making • In union positions, only 18% are occupied by women • Lack of gender perspective in CBA provisions • Women concerns had not been taken into account • to the zone administrators • In public and legislative positions, • only 15.4% are occupied by women
Thus, • There is a need for women to join and lead unions • Women must network with different groups, activists, • social partners and other trade unionist, to further strenghten their • Advocacy and lobbying • They must engage the zone administrators into dialogues • regarding their concerns
The issue: Gender Equality is a human right! Essential condition for effective democracy Necessity for the advancement of social justice A matter of sustainable development to include women in decision making
The proposed solution: DISTANCE EDUCATION • Online forums- more convenient, safer, cheaper, • Where women can discuss • Education • Networking
The proposed solution: DISTANCE EDUCATION • Equalizing the skills level between the sexes on IT • A new tool for learning and information
Target group 25 women union members Ages:18-30 Working in 4 specified EPZs (Subic, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna)
Develop objectives 1.A multi linked, strong network of women trade unionists • Active in lobbying womens’ rights • Will involve dialogues addressing concerns to the zone • Administrators • Advocates of gender equality
Develop objectives 2. Creating better opportunities • Developing skills in Information technology • Leadership
Develop objectives 3. 25 women labor educators Will continue to educate other womens’ groups in unions,informal sector, youth, and grass roots area
Immediate Objectives At the end of the work plan, • Target groups will be equipped with at least the • basic skills in IT, and how to educate other groups
Indicators of Achievement • The number of women having basic skills in computers • The number of websites published • The number of database established in federations/ unions • Positive response by the target groups in a questionairre
Immediate Objectives At the end of the work plan, 2. Women workers will be able to maximize the use of online forums
Indicators of Achievement • The number of messages posted in online venues • The number of invited guests in online venues • The speed and frequency of messages posted per day/month
Immediate Objectives At the end of the work plan, 3. There will be an increase the number of women union leaders
Indicators of Achievement • The increase of women union leaders • The number of CBA provisions addressing women concerns and protecting womens’ rights
Immediate Objectives At the end of the work plan, 4. Target group will be educated on ILO materials to be used as instruments in their social dialogues
Indicators of Achievement • The number of dialogues iniatated by the target groups to the: • Zone administrators • Government and its agencies • legislators
Key Outputs A network of 25 women trade unionists from different EPZs Involved in: • Advancements of women rights • Advocating gender equality • Lobbying bills concerning women welfare • Actively participating in union activities
Preparatory Activities October 8-10-Basic training on IT • MS word • Excel • Powerpoint
Preparatory Activities October 15-17-Basic training on IT, Part 2 • Internet Usage (emails,group mails) • Online forums • Chatrooms
Preparatory Activities October 24-27 Advanced training on IT, Part 2, for those in the target group that showed proficiency in the last seminars • Web page creation • Database building
Activities Distance Education November 3,2002-Opening of the online forums • The moderator will post a message in the • online forum in the Internet Course Reader • Topics will begin in simple issues and as the • Project goes on, will proceed to ILO • level issues
Activities Distance Education January 6,2003-Opening of the Chatroom sessions • The moderator will post a message in the • online forum inviting everyone for a chat • Scheduling of next chat session (once a month) • The discussion topics will range from • personal to the project
Activities Awareness Raising • The target group will link with the media, • international/ national cause oriented groups • Distribution of newsletters • Press releases
Inputs and Budget • 1 PC for the facilitator P 25,000 ( $500) • 3 seminars- P80,000 ( $ 1,300) • package deal ( rented PCs, • with internet connection • after the 1st seminar) • Facilitator/moderator P 0 • Trainings /meetings venue P 30,000 ( $ 600)
Inputs and Budget • Manuals P5,000 ($100) • Newsletters P5,000 ($200) • Internet allowance P 50,000 ($1,000) • Actrav Software P0 • Press releases P 20,000 ( $200)
Inputs and Budget • Seminar/ meetings allowance P50,000 ($1,000) • Incidental allowance P20,000 ( $200)
Preliminary Budget • Preliminary budget P285,000 ($5,700)