3.1.2. Gender
Although the constitution states that women are equal to and have the same rights,
obligations, and opportunities as men, in practice, women face some legal discrimination
(BDHRLHR, 1999). Female workers in manufacturing generally receive lower wages then
men, and many jobs are gender stereotyped to the disadvantage of women (Cukier, Norris, &
Wall, 1996).
Apart from receiving lower wages, women are often hired as day laborers instead of as fulltime
permanent employees so that companies avoid providing benefits, such as maternity
leave, and in some cases do not receive employment benefits, such as medical insurance and
income tax deductions.
Women do receive extra provisions though, such as 3 months paid maternity leave and 2
days paid menstruation leave per month. They are also protected from dismissal due to
marriage, pregnancy, or confinement (Bennington, 2001). Other protections include special
conditions regarding work at night (e.g., the employer is obliged to make a written request to
the Local Office of the Department of Manpower, which sets out the kind of business and
character of the job and the reasons why they want to employ women at night). The employer