Almost 3 out of 4 women working in the manufacturing industry have never been promoted or given a higher paying role, while more than 60 per cent of female workers had never been offered any workplace training, according to a survey report released this week by AMWU titled Breaking the Perspex Ceiling.
The survey found that women, who make up about a quarter of the manufacturing workforce, remain congregated in the lower paid roles and hold fewer skills qualifications than their male workmates.
“There are great jobs in manufacturing and engineering, but women are often excluded from them due to lack of opportunity,” said AMWU NSW Secretary Tim Ayres.
According to the survey of women in manufacturing:
– 74% have never been promoted to a more senior or higher paying role
– 74% see no opportunity for a promotion in the next five years
– 63% say they don’t receive workplace training
– 44% are the main income earner in their family and
– 35% struggle to meet weekly bills
While some of the more telling comments from women surveyed include:
“I have been told not to ask for part-time (four days) as it will not be considered.”
“I’ve been 30 years with the company and I’m still on the basic wage.”
It seems that if this report is anything to go by, there’s still a long way to go towards equal opportunity for blue-collar women workers.
Do you have any experience of the manufacturing sector? Have you observed this in practice or do you have any insights?