This study aims to determine the extent of participation of women in the labor market over the years, and the sectors they predominantly work in.  It highlights the working conditions of women workers, focusing on their problems at work, insufficient remuneration, and occupational injuries, among others. It also presents the interventions of government, the private sector, and non-government organizations to address these problems.

It identifies the necessary measures to improve working conditions of women, particularly those in the manufacturing sector in the Philippines. Among the recommendations is the formulation of new strategies on labor protection and security, as emerging employment arrangements call for more flexible strategies.

This paper was presented at the Asian Regional Forum on “Industrial Development and Health of Working Women,” conducted by the Japan Society for Occupational Health in Kobe, Japan on 9-12 April 2002.