manual: women workers' rights and gender equality - International ...

The main differences between a homeworker and a self-employed person are as follows:
Homeworker
less risk if regular orders come in
working for boss
own/others’ equipment
raw materials: self or employer
Self-employed
own risk where to sell
own boss
own equipment
raw materials: self
When it is clear what a homeworker exactly is you can continue the exercise.
During the exercise the participants should become aware of the differences between a
homeworker and a factory worker or regular employee. The result of the placing of the fiches next
to the things shown on the poster will probably be that under Avy, the homeworker, all fiches are
red (maybe the materials will be green in some cases). Under Dina, the factory worker, all fiches,
except those for food and health in some cases, will be green. The conclusion of the participants
will be that homeworkers provide a lot of things themselves. Remind them that these are costs for
the homeworker.
During the card placing it becomes clear that the position of Avy is more difficult than of Dina.
• Modern equipment is too expensive for a homeworker.
• The lack of information on new technologies and the lack of capital to buy new equipment limits
productivity.
• Homeworkers have no social and legal protection while permanent employees are covered
under the Labour Protection Act.
Homeworkers mostly do the work at their own house. This means that they do other tasks like cooking
and looking after the children at the same time. They cannot fully concentrate on their production so
the productivity will be lower than in a factory in the same hours. As a result of a lower production the
earnings of a homeworker will be lower as well. Homeworkers are doing subcontracting work so they
get less for one product because the subcontractor also takes a share. They are often paid by piece,
which leads to long working hours. Due to the lower earnings there will be no money left to invest in
better equipment. This will limit productivity and this makes the circle round: it is difficult for
homeworkers to improve their position.
In terms of money the homeworker has higher costs:
• Providing (part of) the material herself
• Provides own electricity and water
• Provides own equipment.
In terms of flexibility it can be that the homeworker is better off, because:
• Household duties can be combined with income earning work
• The work can be done at hours the homeworker wants to work
Support to homeworkers is needed but difficult to provide. This group of workers is not always
easy to reach because they work in a premise of their own choice, often their own home.
Organizing them makes them much stronger. Think about their improved bargaining position or
access to credit (see session 4.4 Right to Organize for more details).
Related sessions and briefing notes
4.3 Equality at Work
4.4 Right to Organize
Briefing Note 9 Violation of Rights at Work: File a Complaint
82