Part-time work and female labour force

The spread of part time work is especially significant as it is one of the major measures that organizations adopt to attain numerical flexibility. Over the past 20 years there has been a trend increase in part time relative to full time employment and it has been strongly feminised.Part time employment can fulfil main function for women: that of reconciling paid work and family responsibilities. However, there are some drawbacks of part-time work for women workers. First of all, part time work is characterised by lower wages, lack of employment security. In addition that, promotion and training opportunities at work place are limited. Trade union membership rates lower for female part-time workers.Part-time work can facilitate access to the labour market. But part time women worker are subject of gendered discrimination. In addition that, there is a danger that involuntary part time work will increase in countries where part time employment is being encouraged as a means of combating unemloyment. Moreover, underemployment is often referred to as involuntary part time work.Key Word: Part-time Work, Female Labour Force, Underemployment, Employment Security, Gendered Discrimination.