Women, Work and Wages in a Paddy Economy

  • Marieta Bañez Sumagaysay

Abstract

Female labor supply in the paddies in selected communities in the island of Leyte is significant though irregular, unstable, and often viewed as buffer labor. With the few farm work available to women, not all these work is paid work, no matter how vital work may be in the whole rice production system. Moreover, work hours available to women are fewer than men's due to reproductive-productive role conflicts. Hence, women bring home lesser cash incomes. Farm wage is generally low. Alternative off-farm and non-farm work cushions family cash shortages. It is not only the man who brings home the food. The woman does, too, and has to prepare, cook, and serve it as well to her family.