HEMISPHERIC SEMINAR: CHALLENGES OF THE WOMAN IN PORTS IN THE XXI CENTURY Women facing technological advances and automation in ports

What is globalization? Definition: –the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and v.v. (Anthony Giddens).

Effects of technological advances and automation Who ? –Low- and semi- skilled employees; What? –Job: labor v.s. machine

cont`d Which jobs? –“traditional men jobs” Operations, i.e. : –container/ machines v.s. less dockworkers; –cranes/ forklift trucks v.s. manpower;

–“women jobs” administration, i.e.: –the computer has displaced women working in office; –eventually technological advances and automation leads to unemployment.

How to avoid women becoming displaced and unemployed Empowering women: –Education; –Training/ retraining; New opportunity: “traditional men jobs”.

Efforts UN: –IMO; Women in Development Programme (1989); –ILO; Dock Work Convention and Recommendation concerning the Social Repercussions of New Methods of Cargo Handling in Docks;

The Surinamese Perspective Surinamese women participation in Maritime programmes: –IMO Women In Development Programme (2); –OAS (1);

Suriname Port Management Company State owned; Union; Barrier: low-/ semi skilled personnel;

Women employment In the port management company: –1971: 0 women: Technical/ operations; Now: 45 women out of 170 (= %): –5 in technical/ operations; –In technical training: 1 (Belgium); Port related: –port state control officer: 1; –In training: 2 pilots.

cont’d In the port community (highly educated): –2008: 1 st Managing director shipping administration, stevedoring and trucking company, terminal operator; In the port related institutions: –Port state control (1); –Pilots in training (2).

Conclusions Women are the most vulnerable in the division of labor; Education and training is the answer to women facing technological advances and automation in ports;