The impact of the Covid pandemic on the transport industry has been profoundly unequal, according to a new report covering workers in West and Central Africa, released today by the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
The report, Impact of Covid-19 on women transport workers in West and Central Africa, shows how women workers suffered a disproportionate loss of livelihoods, were forced to shoulder an unequal share of unpaid caring and domestic responsibilities, and faced increased violence and harassment both at work and at home.
In Nigeria, a railway worker shared how she was turned away from her workplace.
“When it came back, men came on board and women were told to stay at home. We asked the boss, please allow us to come back, we have to feed our children. But the boss said – no, use what you have to get what you want – sell yourself.”
In Senegal, a Merchant Navy worker disclosed how women workers were forced to put up with harassment at work so that they could continue to earn a living.
“Since some women workers are financially constrained...and have very heavy burdens...the woman will be forced to give in involuntarily to some harassment attempts.”
In Ghana, a Youth and Gender officer heard reports of increasing domestic violence.
“Because women are locked up in the house, holed up with their spouses, often women experience abuse from them. When I talk to women in the maritime sector, they tell you that they want an escape route. They want to leave home and come to work.”
Another public transport worker in Ghana said unequal childcare duties had taken a heavy toll.
The report contains four urgent recommendations on how trade unions can work with governments and employers to address the impacts of the pandemic on women transport workers and to integrate this into the Covid-19 response and recovery, and how unions can use Convention C190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work as a tool to help eliminate violence from transport workplaces.
