(WPO1e) Employment and Workplace Challenges, Barriers, and Inequities

In labour markets and workplaces around the world, different groups of workers are confronted by egregious conditions that produce negative outcomes for individuals and their communities. The issues faced by workers are varied and complex, and highlight broader and intersecting societal disparities. Papers in this session address issues such as: the social determinants and impacts of child labour in Pakistan, more particularly in brick kilns, and possible solutions to the problem of child labour; the gendered dynamics of the transition to parenthood and the differential and inequitable impact of this transition on women’s and men’s ability to achieve positions of authority and leadership in the labour market in urban China; and, racial inequality experienced by Punjabi workers who face language barriers in accessing workers’ compensation services in British Columbia. Collectively, the papers demonstrate that, though there are overlapping dimensions to the difficult realities faced by workers worldwide, the specificities of the challenges, barriers, and inequities they experience need to be teased out to gain a fuller understanding of work in contemporary society, and to identify ways to improve the lives of workers and their families, and the well-being of communities and society more generally. Tags: Health and Care, Work And Professions

Organizers: Vivian Shalla, University of Guelph, Tracey L. Adams, University of Western Ontario, Karen Hughes, University of Alberta; Chair: Cindy Sinclair, University of Toronto

Presentations

Kamran Ishfaq, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

Determinants of Child Labor at Brick Kilns: A Study of District Bhakkar, Pakistan

Child labor is a global issue but it affects developing countries like Pakistan. According to Federal Bureau of Statistics Pakistan, about 3.3 million children are trapped in child labor, deprived of their childhood, health and education. Due to long working hour’s children social, psychological and physical development become badly damaged. Children are deprived from their basic fundamental rights, welfare and development. According to the Global Slavery Index, Pakistan is placed third among the nations where child labor is most prevalent. Children are forced to work in miserable conditions and are subjected to physical and emotionally abuse. The worst form of child exploitation and forced labor are prevalent at Brick Kilns industry. Employers of bricks compel innocent children to work in inhumane conditions in the brickmaking process. Poverty is a major factor of child labor. When families are living below poverty line and have lack of basic necessities, children frequently become an additional source of money to help their family’s survival. The present study is conducted to identify the socio- economic determinants of child labor at brick kilns in the district Bhakkar Punjab, Pakistan. This study is based on quantitative research design and data were collected from child labors (14-17 year of age) that were working at brick kilns. Total numbers of 384 respondents were selected from 284 registered brick kilns of district Bhakkar, Punjab Pakistan. Data were collected through convenient sampling technique and were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). In this study majority of the respondents were aged between 14-17 years and mostly were male. Grater parts of the respondents were local residents and afghan migrants. Majority of the respondents were no own homes and nor have any land or property. They were living in the master’s provided home. The study reported that poverty, lack of education, lack of awareness, culture of the region, adopting family profession, children interest in earning instead of education, and unavailability of skill institution for children are the major determinants of child labor. Majority of the children’ parents were working at brick kilns and were illiterate. Some respondents expressed that their wish is to continue their education but due to lack of support they are working at brick kilns to fulfill the basic needs of the family. The study suggested that raising the public's awareness about the adverse impacts of child labor on children's health, education, and development could reduce child labor at brick kilns. NGOs and Government organization working on child labor concerns at brick kilns can provide essential assistance to children and their families. Access to education, such as schools near kilns or mobile schools, can assist and ensure children's rights that education could not be compromised. Vocational Training Institutes must be constructed for these poor children so that they could get the technical skills rather than work as labor.

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Non-presenting authors: Altar Hussain, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan; Ali Ahmed, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

Manlin Cai, University of British Columbia

Gender, transition to parenthood, and workplace authority in urban China

Despite the rise of women’s educational attainment and labour force participation, women lag far behind men in reaching positions of authority and leadership at work worldwide. Even when men and women possess comparable human capital, a consistent gender gap exists that favours men in workplace authority. The gendered disadvantages in the labour market are further distributed unevenly among women, with mothers often bearing the brunt. Research has revealed that motherhood typically leads to lower earnings for women. However, fewer studies have investigated how parenthood shapes gender disparities in access to authority at work. In light of this research gap, my study examines how transition to parenthood affects women’s and men’s workplace authority in urban China. Cultural understandings of fatherhood and motherhood differ: Paid work is treated as an integral part of fatherhood, whereas unpaid childcare work remains at the core of motherhood. The norms of motherhood are thus more at odds with authority positions that usually require individuals to devote to work above all other life commitments. Mothers and fathers may internalize these gendered understandings and respond at work accordingly by adjusting their work effort. Meanwhile, regardless of work performance, such gender norms can lead employers to deem mothers unfit for authority and leadership positions. These parenthood effects are likely to be particularly salient in China, where patriarchal values surrounding work and family remain entrenched. My research draws on nationally representative, longitudinal survey data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). I use all the six biennial waves of the CFPS from 2010 to 2020 that are currently available to obtain person-year observations. Given my interest in the effects of transition to parenthood, my analytic sample only includes respondents who transitioned to parenthood for the first time during the observation period. The sample is further restricted to respondents aged 18–49 in each wave who were employed in urban areas and tracked at least twice. I use fixed-effects linear probability models to estimate the effects of transition to parenthood on men’s and women’s likelihood of holding supervisory authority at work. The fixed-effects method estimates within-person effects and thus better addresses selectivity issues through accounting for person-specific invariant unobserved characteristics that may affect both transition to parenthood and workplace authority. I find that net of controls for human capital, family status, and job characteristics, transition to parenthood is associated with a decrease of 5.2% in women’s probability of holding supervisory authority. Results by work sectors further show that this penalty of motherhood in authority is insignificant for women working in the state sector but more salient for those working in the non-state sector (a decrease of 8.1%). By contrast, transition to fatherhood does not affect men’s probability of holding supervisory authority at work, regardless of the sector they work in. Overall, the findings reveal that parenthood widens the gender gap in workplace authority. Because access to authority positions is associated with more job benefits and greater control over organizational decisions, the differential effects of parenthood on workplace authority between men and women may well produce and perpetuate gender inequalities in other realms of work and family lives. Furthermore, transition to parenthood exacerbates the glass ceiling that prevents capable women from reaching leadership at work, which could, in turn, incur a tremendous loss to organizations and society.

Manjot Mangat, University of British Columbia

Unveiling Language Barriers: Exploring Challenges Faced by Punjabi Clients in Accessing Workers' Compensation Services within WorkSafeBC

Racial inequality remains a pervasive issue within the workplace, manifesting prominently in the hurdles confronted by individuals from marginalized communities seeking access to workers compensation services. WorkSafeBC (WSBC), responsible for administering workers compensation in British Columbia, plays a crucial role in ensuring timely and appropriate support for injured workers. However, members of the Punjabi community, a significant segment of BCs population and workforce, grapple with formidable language barriers when seeking assistance from WSBC. These barriers extend beyond mere communication challenges, impacting the ability to navigate the compensation process effectively, leading to delayed or inadequate medical care, and perpetuating disparities within the workplace. Additionally, the linguistic hurdles render Punjabi workers vulnerable to exploitation, impeding their capacity to advocate for rights or negotiate fair settlements. This study is designed to delve into the racial inequality within WSBC, focusing specifically on the language barriers faced by Punjabi clients. The threefold objectives encompass identifying and analyzing the extent and nature of language barriers within the WSBC system for Punjabi clients, evaluating the availability and effectiveness of interpretation services provided by WSBC, and proposing strategies to address language barriers and promote equitable services. Through these objectives, the study aims to shed light on the challenges experienced by the Punjabi community, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable environment within WSBC. The research question driving this study centers on the challenges confronted by Punjabi clients in accessing WSBC compensation services in BC. Language barriers are identified as a critical impediment affecting their ability to navigate the workers compensation system, comprehend policies and procedures, and submit claims in a timely manner. The study also endeavors to assess the availability and effectiveness of WSBCs interpretation services for Punjabi clients, aiming to enhance communication and understanding between Punjabi-speaking individuals and service providers within WSBC. A comprehensive literature review illuminates existing research on the impact of language barriers on access to vocational rehabilitation services and workers compensation. However, these studies fall short in addressing the specific challenges faced by the Punjabi community in BC. To address this gap, the research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews with Punjabi clients of WSBC in the Lower Mainland region. Convenience sampling is employed to ensure diverse perspectives, covering age, gender, occupation, and injury type. The interviews, conducted in Punjabi, explore participants experiences with language barriers, understanding of policies and procedures, communication difficulties, and the impact of language barriers on compensation claims. Moreover, thematic analysis is applied to identify patterns and challenges, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the research objectives. In essence, this research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on racial inequality within workers compensation systems. By spotlighting the unique challenges faced by the Punjabi community in accessing WSBC services and proposing strategies to address language barriers, the study aspires to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment within WSBC. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that all clients, regardless of linguistic background, can effectively navigate the compensation system and access their rights.