Impact of climate change on women labour, example of the construction sector

1. Dr. Paramita Majumdar
Independent Consultant
New Delhi
31 January 2018
Training Programme on Gender Responsive Budgeting
29 January – 2 February, 2018
VVGNLI, Noida

2.  Women workers in 1999 - 2000 - 25.9% and
 2011 - 2012 - 21.9% (National Sample Survey)
 Of the 185 nations that are part of the ILO
database, since the 1990s, 114 countries have
recorded an increase in the proportion of women
in the workforce. 41 countries have recorded
the decline and India is leading the pack here.
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Civil-Services/2017-03-20/Women-employment-and-empowerment-in-Indian-
Economy/288084

3. Climate refers to the average weather experienced over a long
period, typically 30 years. This includes temperature, wind and
rainfall patterns. The Earth’s climate has changed many times in
response to a variety of natural and human causes. The term
“climate change” usually refers to changes that have been
observed since the early 1900s.
The global increases in carbon dioxide concentration are primarily
due to fossil fuel use and land use change, and increase in emission
of greenhouse gases (GHG) e.g. methane and nitrous oxide primarily
due to agriculture.
Every sector in which we work, or which provide us goods or
services emits GHGs. Industry, transport, electricity generation,
heating, some agricultural practices, as well as industrial and
domestic cooling and heating systems are examples of human
activities that contribute to GHG emissions.

4. Long Term
• Long-term influence of GHG emissions - means that even
if we stop emitting these gases today, the Earth would
take more than a 100 years to stabilize its GHG
atmospheric concentrations, which would keep
temperature growing for 200 more years.
Direct
• Rises in temperatures
• Rises in the level of the oceans,
• Changes in wind patterns and
• A multiplication of extreme weather events are other
examples
Indirect
• Indirect Consequences - changes in agriculture,
water availability, etc.

5. Most vulnerable industries and settlements
according to IPCC are :
• Industries and settlements in coastal and
river flood plains
• Industries and settlements prone to extreme
weather events, e.g., slums
• Economies closely linked with climate-
sensitive resources (i.e. agriculture,
fisheries, tourism)

6. Reduced Water
availability
More than a billion people
affected by 2050
Increased
Flooding
Reduced yields for agriculture in
Central & South Asia
Increased yields for agriculture in
East & South East Asia
Increased morbidity & mortality from
diarrhoea & cholera
https://www.lo.no/Documents/Klima_og_energi/Sustainlabourreportcc08.pdf

7.  Agriculture - Extreme weather events, increased
incidence of droughts and floods, variability in rainfall
patterns and degradation of marginal lands will have an
influence, particularly the way crops are produced or even
look for new pastures elsewhere. Climate change
challenges will place an enormous burden on already
affected workers. Will impact on the existing/ growing job
insecurity, low rates of pay, poor working conditions and
growing levels of poverty.
 Tourism - As a result of rising sea levels, many coastal
areas and small islands will have to address changes in
relation to jobs. Severe coastal erosion, and at worst,
disappearance of large proportion of land mass and salt
water intrusion will make the islands uninhabitable. In
mountain regions with less snow at low altitudes and
receding glaciers and melting permafrost higher up will
lead to disruptions of economic activities andhttps://www.uncclearn.org/sites/default/files/inventory/wcms_122181.pdf

9.  Employment in the agricultural sector will be adversely affected,
especially seasonal jobs that depend on harvesting and crop-
processing.
 Incidence of floods affecting urban employment, by damaging
transport, industrial infrastructures and settlements that will
affect the ability of workers to be present at their workplaces
and/or find alternatives when workplaces close.
 Increases in respiratory and/or water and food related diseases,
and the risk of malnutrition negatively affecting employment -
certainly affecting workers’ productivity …….malnutrition anemia
data…………..
 Increased migration and mortality will further aggravate
problems such as worker turn-over and the loss of qualified
workers, cyclone death…………..data

10. Identifying
Opportunities
for Green Jobs
Greening
Existing Jobs
Phasing out of
unsustainable
jobs
• Invest in climate-
friendly
technologies,
• Invest to change
behaviours in order
to reduce our
climate footprint,
and reduce the
impacts of climate
change

11. • Includes direct employment / jobs which reduces
environmental impact and helps
• to reduce the consumption of energy & raw materials,
• de-carbonize the economy,
• protect & restore ecosystems & biodiversity and
• minimize the production of waste and pollution.
• Lead to lower environmental impacts directly, e.g. in
the transport sector as railway or subway operators
providing energy efficient mass transportation, or
indirectly, e.g. as technicians in industry or logistics
managers in services reducing energy consumption
in manufacturing and delivery of services.

12. The construction industry is the 2nd largest industry of
the country after agriculture accounting for 11 % of
India’s GDP.
Problems faced by Indian construction industry -
• Construction industry suffers from capacity
constraints.
• Lack of trained manpower and managerial skills with
performance much below international level.
• Small and medium contractors do not have the
wherewithal to upgrade their capability.
• Quality, safety, environment and social aspects are
also not being addressed appropriately.https://www.omicsonline.org/extreme-weather-events-and-climate-change-impact-on-construction-
small-medium-enterprises-sme-imbibing-indigenous-responses-for-sustainability-of-sme-2157-
7617.1000173.pdf

14. • Poor Pay
• Poor Working Conditions
• For Migrant Women
Workers - Temporary
loss of earnings & lack
of Access to Basic
Social Protection
Systems

15. Found in Absent / Nearly Absent in
Water Feeding Brick Layer/Mason
Material Supply Concrete Mixer
Mixing Scaffolding
Brick Handling Glass Fitter
Stone Shaping Tile Fitter
Slab Pouring Painter/White Washer
Other Sweat Labour Electrician
Plumber
Pipe Fitter & cementing
Machine Operator

16. Solar
Heat
Radiation
Heat Stress &
Injuries
Clinical Health
Risks, e.g.
Dehydration
Productivity
Losses
Reduced daily
Income
Drought,
Migration & Wage
Loss
Indirectly –
exposure to
hazardous
chemicals and
threats to
poisoning
• Effective
cooling and
ventilation
systems
• Worker
rehydration
systems /
regimes,
• Shades/
Rest Rooms
• Clothes &
shoes
facilitating
sweat
evaporation
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---gjp/documents/publication/wcms_476194.pdf

17.  Retrofitting of existing buildings
 Creating new buildings requires skilled
workers—such as architects, construction
managers, and carpenters. The design
occupations, such as architects and
engineers, require a considerable amount of
education and training specific to green
construction.
 Training for green construction trades…..
when constructing green buildings, workers
particularly women might find themselves
using unusual design schematics or materials
they are unfamiliar with.

19. Where are
the Women
Architects
and
Engineers in
the
Constructio
n sector?
Stream Male Female Total
Bachelor of Architecture 35737 37117 72854
Master of Architecture 1182 1349 2531
Bachelor of Technology 1581940 590194 2172134
Master of Technology 101636 59259 160895
Bachelor of Engineering 1361435 552190 1913625
Master of Engineering 29025 21290 50315
Mechanical Engineering 906595 44278 950873
Computer Engineering 451282 350811 802093
Electronics Engineering 379146 309362 688508
Civil Engineering 503189 127860 631049
Electrical Engineering 323763 117792 441555
Other Engineering &
Technology
187926 78026 265952
Information Technology 100853 82515 183368
Architecture 37561 38826 76387
http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/statistics/AISHEReport2016-17.pdf

21.  First, the vast majority of enterprises consists of small
firms that may not possess either the financial
wherewithal, or the information on climate change, or
both, necessary to adjust their business practices.
Moving to a sustainable development trajectory will
require a particular focus on small enterprise.
 Second, labour market adjustment to sustainability,
both externally, and internally within the firm, is
required.
 From gender perspective, it is based on the national
commitment, require collective bargaining by the
Trade Unions, and importantly require information
exchange between employers’ organizations and
trade unions and workers.

22. Urban Flooding and
its Impact (Tangible and Intangible) on
Employment (Direct and Indirect)