Post on 13-May-2023
I. Background of the Study
Women empowerment has been an advocacy of many government and
non-government agencies, groups, and individuals for many years
now. And for the past decade, Filipinas have enjoyed equal rights
with men especially in the field of labor.
In the 80’s, women started to change its image as household
caretakers to income co-generators. Filipinas started to enter
the labor market, especially in the field of business. Due to
this change, the researchers decided to have an extensive look on
the labor supply of women, specifically the employment rate.
Also, the researchers wanted to look into the occupations or
careers where women are employed at. In this specific study,
major occupation groups distinguished by the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) were used as bases. This is to see the
trend on the career change of women.
This study will focus on changes in the employment rate of
women in Region III, according to major occupation groups.
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II. Significance of the Study
This comparative women employment rate study could provide
information on how different factors affect the employment rate
of women in Region III. Further this study would also review on
the employment rate of women in the area, particularly according
to major occupation groups. This study can provide considerable
information for the government about the economic health of a
particular province/ city.
This would be useful to the Department of Labor and Employment
DOLE), as they will be able to see the trends and thus understand
how the employment rate of women varies over the years according
to the major working sectors. They will also be able to see
career trend shifts in region III observed through years 1996 to
2013. The study wishes to implement that the increase in the
number of females in the labor market may not mean an increase in
employment rate as the number of employed men might have
increased too. The findings of this study may help women, in
particular, see what major occupation group is in demand for
women. Thos could create awareness, which could bring word to the
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government, who could help make a way so that women can venture
and take hold of these opportunities.
The study is important to our understanding of the world
because it will help us see whether female advocacies or female
movement has been able to help increase female labor force in
Region III in various major work groups. What new perspective
will you bring to the topic? Needs data #Jeron. The findings
would be useful particularly to DOLE, the government, women,
employees and future researchers in the region.
III. Statement of the Problem
In general and theoretically, labor force, number of employed,
and employment rate have relationship with each other. In this
study, the researchers want to have a view on how females in
region III have performed in the labor market from 1996 to 2013.
Specific problems
1) Did the labor force of females in region III increased?
2) Have the number of employed females increased in region III?
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3) How did the employment rate change across the years?
4) What are the possible factors that might have affected
sudden increase or decrease in the employment rate?
5) What major occupation group has the most number of employed
females?
IV. Objectives
1) To be able to understand how female employment rate changes
along with the female labor force.
2) To know if there is an improvement on the employment of
females in region 3
3) To observe which sectors appeals to the females
4) To suggest ways on how to further increase participation of
women in the labor force
5) To find out the condition of women employment based on major
occupation groups over the past years.
V. Review of Related Literature
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According to Philippines: A Country Study, women have always enjoyed
greater equality in Philippine society than was common in other
Southeast Asia. The study also suggests that in the early 1990s,
women were found in more than a proportionate share of many
professions even top positions usually dominated by men. However,
even though women were eligible for top positions, these
positions are usually obtained by men. The reason for this could
be that employed women carry a double burden as they were
expected to do household tasks (Dolan, 1991). The article
supported the hypothesis that there is a significant change in
female employment among the distinct occupation sectors.
The current study suggests that in 1990, women represent only
159 of 982 career top executive positions in the civil service,
while 15% of top-level positions in the public sector were held
by women (Dolan, 1991). These could be caused by employers not
hiring women in top positions to avoid absences or leave due to
the period during pregnancy wherein women have to take maternal
leave.
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According to Asuncion (2008) as quoted by Domingo-Cabarrubias
(2012a), married women usually resign from their company after
reporting for work for a few weeks due to the demand of work at
home and in the company. This article could prove why women tend
to choose to work for lower paid jobs as these jobs would require
less time. Domingo-Cabarrubias (2012b) also suggests that
according to women’s account and judging from men’s narration,
the male spouses do not have any problem about sharing housework
with their spouses. This could be relevant to the study as it
would help to ease the burden of working women causing the
increase in women’s labor participation rate.
Lastly, based on the data gathered by the Philippine
Statistics Office, in 2012, 36% of the population was not in the
labor force, and 45.4% of these belong to the age group 15 to 24
years old. While in 2013, 69.1% of those who are not in the labor
force were women, and 46% of those belonged to the age group 15
to 24 years like the previous year. This could be caused by women
choosing to settle down instead of working. This could help prove
the discrepancies in the occupation sectors.
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Taken together, women in the Philippines experience greater
equality than women in other countries, and they are more
eligible for higher positions. However, they tend to choose lower
rate jobs that require less time to focus on household task. It
is also shown that women age 15 to 24 were not part of the labor
force (Dolan, 1991; Domingo-Cabarrubias2012a;PSO). It is
important to know why women choose to work in a certain sector
for it will help the researchers to explain the trend of women’s
employment rate in Region III. Further studies on women’s
employment should be done especially on the reason for their
employment and unemployment, and why they choose to work for low-
position jobs.
VI. Research Design
For the completion of this study, the researchers used
qualitative and quantitative approach. Quantitative approach was
used to compute for the employment rate of females, and the
percentage of females employed in each major occupation group.
Also, simple mathematics was used in the analysis, whether the
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employment has increased or decreased. Qualitative approach,
which was used in the most part of the paper, was used to define
the related concepts and discussions in the study. Research
instruments used in the data gathering are as follows:
Data gathering - the researchers made an extensive research
on the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA), formerly known as
the National Statistics Office, located at SACOP San
Fernando (P). The numbers used in the study were taken from
the yearbooks published by the PSA.
Interview – a simple interview was made with one of the
heads in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Regional Office. The interview was candid and very short,
since it was unexpected.
VII. Scope and limitations
This study was conducted to have a clear view on the
employment of females in region III. the study is limited to the
females employed within Region III, in the years 1996 – 2013. The
researchers were able to get information on the total number of
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employed females, with the use of the number of females in every
major occupation groups (data presented in appendix). Also, due
to time constraint, and limited data available, the researchers
made a way to get the employment rate of females only, in region
III, by using simple mathematics. Other limitations in the study
includes limited information regarding the economic and political
state of region III, which may have affected the employment
status of females in the said region.
VIII. Data presentation
Changes and trend in the employment rate of females in Region
III is the main concern of the researchers of the study. To be
able to analyze this topic clearly, tables and graphs were
constructed. On the next pages, summaries of tables are
presented. Specific tables for each year are presented on the
appendix.
In table 1, summary of the labor force of females and the
employment rates are shown. Labor force of females in Region III
is readily available. Employment rate was calculated by dividing
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the total number of employed females over the total labor force
of women in Region III. Along with this table are figures 1, 2
and 3. Figure 1 shows the graphical representation of the labor
force of females in region III, from years 1996 to 2013. Figure 2
is a graphical representation of the total number of employed
females in region III per year. While figure 3 shows the
graphical representation of the change in employment rates of
females in region III, years 1996 to 2013.
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TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF NUMBER OF EMPLOYED FEMALES, LABOR FORCE AND EMPLOYMENT RATE OFFEMALES; REGION III, YEARS 1996 -2013
YEAR Labor Force ofFemales
Number ofEmployedFemales
Employment Rate ofFemales
1996 925 832 89.95%1997 952 866 90.97%1998 1040 925 88.94%1999 1094 989 90.40%2000 1054 915 86.81%2001 1198 1067 89.07%2002 1228 1084 88.27%2003 1233 1098 89.05%2004 1255 1091 86.85%2005 1325 1196 90.26%2006 1305 1196 91.65%2007 1294 1191 92.04%2008 1348 1244 92.28%2009 1462 1347 92.13%2010 1501 1442 96.07%2011 1592 1397 87.75%2012 1654 1450 87.67%2013 1673 1527 91.27%
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FIGURE 1: GRAPH OF THE LABOR FORCE OF FEMALES; REGION III, 1996 - 2013
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
- 200 400 600 800
1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800
Labor Force (in thousands)
Labor Force (in thousands)
Number (in thousands)
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FIGURE 2: GRAPH OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYED FEMALES; REGION III, 1996 - 2013
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
020040060080010001200140016001800
Number of employed
Number of employed
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FIGURE 3: GRAPH OF THE EMPLOYMENT RATES OF FEMALES; REGION III, 1996 - 2013
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Year
82.00%
84.00%
86.00%
88.00%
90.00%
92.00%
94.00%
96.00%
98.00%Employment Rate
Employment Rate
These three data shows the trend in the labor force, number of employed and employment rate
of females for 18 years. It can be observed that in general, the number of employed females is
increasing; the same is for the labor force. but for the employment rate, it is quite unstable.
In table 2, the summary of the number of employed females per year, in every major
occupation group was shown. While in table 3, the percentages of the employed females in every
major occupation group, per year, were shown. The percentages were computed by dividing the
number of employed females to the total labor force of females in region III (see computation on
appendix). This was made so that the researchers would be able to see the percentage of women
employed in each major occupation group. The computed ratios can be used in the analysis of what
major occupation group does the majority of females in region III are most employed in. Observe
that years 1999 to 200 were group differently from the rest of the years. The reason for this is
that, in those years, the government, specifically DOLE, has set a different division. For years
2000 and beyond, there were only eight major occupation groups namely: professional, technical,
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and related workers; administrative, executive and managerial workers; clerical workers; sales
workers; service workers; agricultural, animal husbandry, and forestry workers, fishermen and
hunters; production and related workers, transportation equipment operators, and laborers; other
or special occupations. While for the years 2001 to 2013 (up to the present time), the division
of the groups became ten. These are as follows: officials of government, and special interest
organizations, corporate executives, managers, managing proprietors, and supervisors;
professionals; technicians and associate professionals; clerks; service workers and shop and
market sales workers; farmers, forestry workers and fishermen; trades and related workers; plant
and machine operators and assemblers; laborers and unskilled workers; special occupations.
There were no recorded reasons on why did the divisions on the major occupation groups were
changed. However, the researchers thought that it is because of the new century. Also, many jobs
have changed their descriptions, and females started to join the jobs that they don’t enter
before.
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YEARMajor Occupation Groups 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000Professional, Technical, and Related Workers
85 93 104 109 99
Administrative, Executive and Managerial Workers
13 11 14 16 14
Clerical Workers 68 84 82 89 83Sales Workers 271 271 292 301 299Service Workers 143 142 164 173 176Agricultural, Animanl Husbandry and Forestry Workers, fishermen and Hunters
96 110 96 117 93
Production and Realted workers, Transport Equipment Operators and Laborers
153 154 173 180 151
Special Occupations 4 1 4 -Total 832 866 925 989 915
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TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF THE NUMBER OF FEMALES EMPLOYED IN EACH MAJOR OCCUPATION GROUP;REGION III, YEARS 1996 - 2013
(Table 2 cont’d)
Major Occupation Groups 2001 2002 2003
2004 2005
2006 2007 2008
2009
2010
2011
2012 2013
Official of Government, and Special-Interest Organizations, CorporateExecutives, Managers, Managing Proprietors, and Supervisors
170 192 227 187 222 207 225 241 256 300 233 307 337
Professionals 82 82 86 96 88 111 129 121 108 134 125 142 148Technicians and Associate Professionals
34 36 35 43 44 49 45 48 58 48 50 45 58
Clerks 110 102 98 96 99 109 107 126 147 171 167 148 153Service Workers and Shopand Market Sales Workers
146 144 176 163 215 227 193 225 248 259 265 256 281
Farmers, Forestry Workers and Fishermen
51 57 35 30 29 21 19 24 20 22 25 12 12
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Trades and Related Workers
119 134 104 106 116 97 102 97 71 79 77 67 78
Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
17 17 33 24 21 27 27 24 27 14 20 28 14
Laborers and Unskilled Workers
338 317 303 341 360 347 343 336 409 415 429 442 446
Special Occupations 1 2 1 4 2 1 1 2 3 6 3TOTAL 1,06
71,084
1,098
1091 1,196
1,196
1,191
1,244
1,347
1,442
1,397
1,450
1,527
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FIGURE 4: GRAPH OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYED FEMALES UNDER EACH MAJOR OCCUPATIONGROUP, PER YEAR; REGION III, YEARS 1996 - 2000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000YEAR
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Professional, Technical, and Related WorkersAdministrative, Executive and Managerial WorkersClerical WorkersSales Workers Service WorkersAgricultural, Animanl Husbandry and Forestry Workers, fishermen and HuntersProduction and Realted workers, Transport Equipment Operators and LaborersSpecial Occupations
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2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
YEAR
-
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Official of Government, and Special-Interest Organizations, Corporate Executives, Managers, Managing Proprietors, and Supervisors
Professionals
Technicians and Associate Professionals
Clerks
Service Workers and Shop and Market Sales Workers
Farmers, Forestry Workers and Fishermen
Trades and Related Workers Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
Laborers and Unskilled Workers Special Occupations
In 1997, females employed under the professional,
technical, and related workers, clerical workers,
agricultural, animal husbandry, and forestry workers,
fishermen and hunters groups have increased. However,
employed females under the other groups have decreased. The
good thing is, the decrease in the employment under some
groups didn’t directly affect the total employment rate of
females in the 1997. With a 1.47% increase, clerical workers
group has the highest positive change in 1997; while the
highest negative change is under the sales workers group,
with a -1.83% change. This may indicate that females in
region III have started to shift from sales to the other
groups like the clerical workers group. The total number of
employed of females has increased by 34 employees, while the
employment rate has increased by 1.02%. The increase may
have been brought by the graduates of 1997 that entered the
labor market, and were lucky to be employed.
In 1998, more females have started to enter the labor
market. Only three out of the eight major occupation groups
have recorded a negative change. More females have been Page | 22
employed under the sales worker group. The said group has
increased by 22 employees. On the other hand, more females
shifted from the agri worker group. The decrease in
employees under the agri, special, and clerical worker
groups, might be an effect of the career shift of females.
Since more females are being accepted in the business and
professional world, lot females try their luck in entering
those work groups. Labor force for this year has
significantly increased, as well as the number of employed.
However, the increase in the number of employed females was
not enough to keep the employment rate of females in its
state during 1997. Employment rate has decreased by 2.03%,
from 90.97% in 1997 to only 88.94% in 1998. This means that
the unemployment rate of females has increased.
In the year 1999, female employment rate in Pampanga
has improved. Unlike last year, the growth in the female
labor force and number of employed females helped to
increase the employment rate of females in region III. From
88.94 in 19998, it became 90.40% in 1999, a 1.46% increase.
Another good thing is that, none of the major occupation Page | 23
groups have decreased its number of employees. But for this
year, more females have entered the agri worker group. This
may be because of the females who graduated with the related
course. Also, note that in 1999, the country’s government
has faced a controversial issue. This might have affected
the confidence of females to enter other work groups.
The country’s administration in 2000 has changed, from
the Estrada administration, ex-president GMA took the
highest chair in the Philippines. During this year, the
whole country has faced problems including the problem in
employment. In region III, the labor force, number of
employed, and employment rate fell. All major occupation
groups have recorded a negative change, except for sales
workers group. In the same year, region III has recorded it
lowest employment rate. The political issue in the
Philippnes might have affected the employment status of
region III.
In 2001, region III, especially Pampanga, became a nit
confident in terms of it economic status. This is because
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the president of the country is from Pampanga. Expectations
of people did not fail, because the employment status on
region III improved. Labor forced increases, which may be
the effect of more job openings in the region. Also, number
of employed had significantly increased by 152 females. And
as a result, employment rate has increased by 2.26%, which
is a good indicator that the female labor market is
improving.
Year 2002 has the same situation as the year 1998.
Labor and the number of employed females has increased, but
the employment rate has decreased. It means that more
females have entered the labor market, but only a few got
jobs. The reason may be lack of job available for females.
It is also in this year that the employed females under the
trades worker group has the highest number.
In 2003, the improvement on the employment continues to
improve. Although some of the occupation groups have
decreased, most of the groups have increased in number of
employed females, making the total number of employed
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females higher than it was in 2002. The highest improvement
on the number of employed females was recorded under the
officials of government (…) workers group, which increased
by 2.77%. the farmers (…) worker group, this year, started
to slowly decrease. Laborers and unskilled worker group
still has the highest share in the employment rate of
females, with 24.57% of the total employment rate in 2003.
Special occupations group is consistently the lowest.
Two thousand four marked a mark down in the employment
status of region III. more females have entered the labor
force, but fewer got jobs, making the employment go down for
the second time in the Arroyo administration. Recall that in
the same year, Philippines had its national elections. This
might have affected the employment status in region III. It
can observed that the number of employed under the
government officials (…) group has significantly decreased
by 40 employees or 3.51%. Number of employed females
decreased by 7 females, while employment rate decreased by
2.2%.
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After the 2004 elections, employment status in region
III has continued to increase. The start of this series of
increase in employment rate is 2005. More females have
entered the labor force, and more got jobs. Thus, making the
employment rate higher than it was in 2004. Almost all of
the major occupation groups have increased. The number of
employed females under the government officials group has
increased by 18.71 %. Laborers and skilled workers group
still has the highest share in the total employment rate in
Region III.
For the year 2005,
IX. Summary
Labor force
Based on the given data, the labour force of women in
Region III has an upward trend. Labour force of women from
1996 to 1999 increased. By the start of the new
millennia,women’s labour force decreased compared to the
previous year. From 2001 to 2005, labour forceincreased
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again, but declined in 2006 & 2007. By 2008, the labour
force of women increases until 2013 with the exception of
2011, where it decreased compared to the previous years.
The upward trend could be caused by the increasing job
opportunities for women, and the increasing number of women
receiving academic trainings. Women in 1996-2013 received
more job opportunities than their predecessors as the
country is improving in closing the gap between men and
women in the labour market. One of reasons in the increase
of women’s labour force is that women are feeling more
secured in the working because of the laws being passed for
their protection like the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act No.
7887 that provides protection of workers against sexual
harassments.
Number of employed females
Based from the data acquired by the researchers, the
total number of employed women in Region III from 1996 to
1999 increased; however, it suddenly went down in the year
2000. In 2001-2003, it went up again and slightly decreased
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in 2004. In 2005, it rose but remained the same up to 2006.
It went down by 2007 and increased once again from 2008-
2010. Lastly, it declined in 2011 and increased again in
2013. Overall, the number of employed women in Region III
follows an upward trend even though there are some
fluctuations in some years. This may due to increasing
employment opportunities for women and the continuous
persuasion of equality between men and women in the country.
Employment rate
As seen from the graph based from the values of
employment rate of females in Region III, it was obviously
fluctuating. In 1996-1997, it increased. Then, in 1998, it
decreased. It increased again in 1999, and then made a
sudden fall in the year 2000. It got back on track and
increased in 2001, declined a little in 2002, increased
again in 2003, decreased by 2004 and then gradually
increased from 2005 to 2008. It declined again a bit in
2009, made a sudden increase in 2010, but abruptly fell in
the year 2011. This may be because of all the natural
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calamities that happened in the Philippines, which was the
reason why it was known to be the world’s most disaster-hit
country in 2011. In 2012, It decreased a little and again
increased in 2013.
X. Conclusion
High employment rate doesn’t mean high labor force and
number of employed females. Employment rate is not a good
measure of how good the labor market status is. It only
measures the percentage of people who have jobs. Based on
the analysis, there are years that employment rate decreases
from the preceding year, but the labor force and number of
employed females both increase, and vice versa.
The researchers also concluded that it is helpful to look
at the distribution of employed females in the labor market.
By looking what occupation group females are employed in,
the researchers had a better understanding on why the
employment rate increase or decrease. With the data
presented above, it can be concluded that changes in
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employment rate maybe due to the career shift of females,
and how this career shift turns out.
XI. Recommendation
It is a well known fact that conditions for gender
equality and female employment in the Philippines are among
the best and undergoes continuous improvements. Under these
circumstances, however, employment of women seems to
fluctuate quite often, as shown in the previous years, and
this mainly due to the mindset that is perceived for too
long. A quick observation of the data shows how service
sectors contains most of the women employment, and the
researchers have concluded that is a generally acceptation
concept that women are more capable when it comes to sales
or service. This has led to unwillingness to extend out of
the comfort zone; risk aversion. A small positive note is
how a growing movement of women is moving towards wider and
newer fields including positions in Government, and Special-
Interest Organizations. This also includes roles like
Corporate Executives, Managers, Managing Proprietors,
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Supervisors Technicians and Associate Professionals and much
more.
This study brought forward the different stages of
advancement of women, during different eras. Although the
researchers have stated that discrimination isn’t an issue
in region 3, mainly Pampanga, it still doesn’t mean sex bias
doesn’t exist. Women have been perceived as more costly to
hire due to the belief that more incentives should be
offered. Another observation is that figureheads can
greatly influence the majority of the workforce. This can be
seen during the trend shift and variations in labor
participation during the different administrations.
Regarding gender mainstreaming, the researchers recommend
increases in investments of skills, not only in one type of
field; but rather be a ‘jack-of-all-trades.’
Career counseling of female graduates should be
undertaken to help overcome apprehensions and fears in
joining the workforce, not only conventional sectors but
pursuing new ones as well.
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Increase in motivational talks, seminars, activities etc.
should be offered to current employees of every sector.
Since women tend to pass on such opportunities to take time
and attend events to further skill improvement, small
measures of incentives like transport or even monetary
incentives can be used to encourage participation.
Promotion to higher hierarchical levels not only provides a
role model for females, but encourages increasing
diversified input, output and practices.
Workshops for further skill improvement should be
tailored-fit specifically for women, addressing specific
issues. For example, sessions for women should focus on
boosting their self confidence by teaching them time
management, negotiation, advocacy and conflict reduction
skills.
Finally, improvements to make the workplace more ‘female-
friendly’ should be taken into consideration. Not only
should harassment policies be strict, but encouraging
workplaces where
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XII. References
Asuncion, Ronahlee A. 2008. “Call Center Agents' Commitment
and
Wilingness to Stay: A Review.” People Manager Journal 281,
19-24.
Domingo-Cabarrubias, Leavides. 2012a. Gender matters in the
call center industry: review of literature on the effects
of call center work on women. Master’s thesis, University of
the Phillippines, Diliman, College of Social Work and
Community Development.
Domingo-Cabarrubias, Leavides. 2012b. Interrogating gender
dynamics within the households of women call center
workers. Master’s thesis,
University of the Phillippines, Diliman, College of Social
Work and Community Development. Retrieved on May 5, 2014
from
http://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/rws/article/viewFile/42
82/3885
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