This paper draws on empirical studies to examine how the politics of claims-making by women workers in the Global South have evolved in the context of increased globalisation. The paper distinguishes between three categories of women workers: waged workers in global value chains working for export markets, workers oriented towards domestic markets and working in a variety of waged and self-employed activities and finally, waged workers involved in cross-border migration.
A range of groups, organizations and networks operating at local, national, regional and international levels, are active in making claims for Southern women workers, using a variety of strategies. It is argued that this global context significantly shapes the politics of claims-making, why the author calls for an urgent need to develop conceptual tools to understand labour activism today. Additionally, the importance of autonomous organisational space for women’s workers is emphasised.
Adapted from author’s summary.