The advent of globalisation is radically changing the employment patterns of women as markets become increasingly liberalised.

Yet while women workers predominate many industries today, especially in electronics and textile, many are unprotected as far as their rights are concerned as reflected in their low union membership.

In 1996, according to figures provided by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), women comprised only 36.1 percent of about 700,000 unionised workers.

Further, it is estimated that unionised women workers constituted only five percent of all the workers in the country. This alarmingly low figure has raised activists' concern that many women workers may not be fully aware of their rights and the possible infringements upon them.

The perceived unwillingness of women to play an active role in trade unions must be seen in the context of the real obstacles that women workers face, whether at work or at home.

"Chief among these is the burden of domestic work that has been thrust upon women. There is the fear, of husbands, that women might neglect their homes. There is the fear, of male trade unionists, that women might threaten their positions in unions," said Irene Xavier, president of Sahabat Wanita, a non-governmental organisation that fights for women's empowerment.

Awareness

Last year, Sahabat Wanita did a survey to find out if, and why, women are reluctant to join trade unions. The findings of the results, published below, were released today in a forum at the Grand Central Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

For three months, the organisation polled 209 women workers from the Bangi Industrial area, the Sungai Way Free Trade Zone and surrounding areas.

Of the 209, 72.2 percent were electronics workers, 25.8 percent worked in small factories and 1.4 percent came from the government and estate sectors.

It would seem that from this sampling at least, ignorance was not a factor in women's lack of union activity as 97.6 percent of those interviewed had heard of unions through their parents, husbands, other relatives, friends, the media, neighbours and their own involvement in unions.

Knowledge of unions for most of the interviewees was through informal means and only a small number (13) were formally exposed, that being through a course conducted by Sahabat Wanita.

Willingness

There was also no problem in understanding the role of unions as admitted by 97.6 percent of those polled, with many saying that unions help to solve workers' woes pertaining to wages, leave, bonus, job security, welfare, safety at work and many others.

Contrary to popular perception that women are reluctant to join unions, this poll showed 87.6 percent would do so. Most, or 97.1 percent, saw the benefits of joining a union, but 7.2 percent had second thoughts, while 4.8 percent said an outright 'no' to it.

The 4.8 percent gave reasons ranging from too much overtime work, busy with family chores to the opinion that union activities were a waste of time anyway. Some said they were frightened of repercussions from management, such as salaries being cut off, and one even said she wished to find a boyfriend first!

Management's influence

As for the perception that management would frown upon and discriminate workers who are into union activities, more than a quarter (28.7 percent) of those interviewed said it was likely that their management would harass or take harsher action against them if they joined unions, yet more than a third (36.8 percent) said it was not likely. Another third (31.1 percent) were unsure.

Four, while being interviewed for their job, had actually been told by the company management not to join the union.

Another six electronics workers were told that the management did not want unions to be established, so the workers can't form or join unions.

Some said that they have heard of the company management sacking workers who contemplated unionism and some managerial staff had told their workers that the company's profitability might be affected with a union on the scene.

Impediments

Asked why most women do not want to join unions, 80 interviewees said women were afraid of being sacked, voicing their opinions out or having their wages cut.

"Another 77 said that women did not wish to know, were uninterested or unsure, or did not know how to join unions, while 18 workers said it was too much work and they had no time for it," the survey revealed.

Ten women even mentioned that their husbands forbade them from joining unions.

Other reasons cited were that there was no one brave enough to set up a union and weak union leadership.

There were those who felt they lacked self-esteem and an ability to galvanise things. One found her colleagues' cooperation wanting when she actually took action against management. Some unlucky ones said they were not even able to go out much due to familial pressure.

Tamil movies

It is interesting to note that although 97.1 percent of those polled knew the benefits of having a union, they were unaware of the inadequacies of the labour laws. A mere 12.9 percent said the law in Malaysia were unfair to unions whereas 46.4 percent gave the law a thumbs up.

The latter group said the reasons were that the Labour Court exists, that Malaysian law was based on democracy and that unions were approved by the government. All these show the poor understanding workers have of the law and government as far as their labour rights are concerned, the survey reported.

"Of those who said that the law protects unions, 22 percent were union members. Of those who said it did not, 30 percent were union members. The result shows that not all union members are educated on laws pertaining to unions. Unions may need to revamp their educational programmes accordingly," the survey concluded.

Sahabat Wanita's Xavier added, "There is no education on trade unions by the media or even in schools. Some of the respondents even said they learnt about trade unions from Tamil films."

Those who said that the law did not protect unions cited reasons such lack of government assistance, management's ability to manipulate any situation through clout and corruption.

Campaign

Even though 97.1 knew the benefits that unions can bring, about half of them did not know who could assist them if they wished to join unions.

About twelve percent of those polled said they would call the union leader, 10 percent would seek the union's help, 8.1 percent would ask their friends, husband or the management, and 3.8 percent would seek the assistance of Sahabat Wanita.

The survey report surmised that if a union leader were to come to meet the workers, they might be more confident to join unions.

In conclusion, it stated that the lack of women's participation in unions can be understood as they would face discrimination both socially and culturally. This is compounded by the fact that the government is not actively protecting them.

To improve matters, the report suggested that more women be actively recruited into unions.

In addition, unionists and their advocates should launch a campaign to change laws that are unsupportive of workers' rights as well as initiate action against the companies that outwardly discriminate unions.

More educational and awareness programmes should also be held on labour laws, workers' rights and the existence of international lobbies for women workers' rights.