Working Against the Storm: Gender, Labor and Climate in the Caribbean

Written By: Victoria Sookoo, Zaafia Alexander, and Serene Ramjohn

Edited by: Princess Avianne Charles

Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting women, low-wage workers, and marginalized communities. This is no exception in the Caribbean, where risks of extreme heat exposure, sea-level rise, hurricanes, flooding, and increasing vector-borne illnesses remain prevalent. For women in workplace settings, these risks are heightened with the added dimension of gender disparities. The connections of gender, labour, and climate change make clear that women are disproportionately impacted and exposed to climate and occupational risks, which threaten their lives, livelihoods, and safety at work. For many women, these fall upon the intersections of injustice, unsafe conditions, and existing climate threats that they are particularly vulnerable to.

Photo by Sabbir Hasan on Unsplash

 A joint publication by UN Women and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (2021) highlights firsthand accounts of women in leadership and technical roles, emphasizing that “women and girls are more vulnerable to climate impacts.” The report also stresses that gender impacts the roles and responsibilities individuals hold in society, including their daily jobs. The gender roles set distinct expectations for girls and women, often tied to an ongoing provision of labour albeit paid or unpaid, with little to no protections or prioritization of their physical and mental well-being. Girls and women are typically expected to provide labour at their homes and in occupational settings, with the clear distinction that they won’t acquire the resources, support, and credibility of their male counterparts. 

Storms of Inequality: Gender & Climate in the Caribbean

The Caribbean region is already experiencing the negative effects of climate change, and rising temperatures will only worsen these challenges, threatening ecosystems, infrastructure, and livelihoods. As a result, climate change worsens labour inequalities for women and marginalized genders by destabilizing key industries, increasing job insecurity, and deepening social and economic vulnerabilities. Climate change increases vulnerability in climate-sensitive industries such as agriculture and fishing, where women play a significant yet often overlooked role. In agriculture, for example, women's agricultural work lacks formal recognition, and they remain underrepresented in policy and decision-making related to agriculture and climate change. Extreme and unpredictable weather patterns make it difficult for small-scale farmers, many of whom are women, to plan planting and harvesting seasons. Additionally, limited resources and access to financial support make relocating or investing in soil conservation techniques a challenge. These factors contribute to declining crop yields, reducing women's ability to maintain a stable income.

Photo by sohail shaikh on Unsplash

Moreover, many of these female farmers work in the informal economy, which includes sectors like domestic work and street vending. Women and marginalized genders are disproportionately represented in these areas, which lack job protections such as contracts, benefits, and social security, making them even more vulnerable to economic instability caused by climate change. Similarly, tourism, one of the Caribbean’s largest economic drivers, employs a significant number of women in low-wage service jobs such as hotel staff, restaurant workers, and tour guides. However, the increasing frequency of hurricanes and extreme weather events damages infrastructure, disrupts travel, and discourages visitors, leading to widespread job losses. Airports, hotels, and resorts often take months or even years to fully recover, reducing employment opportunities. Women, who are often the first to be laid off, face limited job prospects and are frequently forced to seek employment elsewhere, increasing their risk of migration-related labour exploitation.

Although the agricultural and tourism sectors are key targets for climate effects, various occupational settings and their surrounding areas are at risk. A Trinidadian national under the alias, Kim, shared that although her worksite doesn’t face direct impacts such as flooding, the surrounding area, particularly near the President's house, frequently experiences flooding, which causes significant traffic congestion. She added, “As a result, some employees face delays in getting home or picking up their children, especially those who live farther away. Unfortunately, there are no specific support systems in place at work to address these environmental disruptions and their impact on employees' punctuality and daily responsibilities.” The negative impacts of climate change not only affect women’s daily routines at work but also their responsibilities and functioning outside of those spaces. This further leads to inequalities that women must face and yet are still expected to work through. 

The existing gender wage gap further amplifies the negative effects of climate change on women. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), even when women secure higher-paying management positions, the gender pay gap persists. Similarly, a United Nations report highlights that women in the agricultural sector earn nearly 20% less than their male counterparts. This wage disparity is particularly concerning, as many of the industries most affected by climate change, such as agriculture, fishing, and tourism, are seasonal and low-paying, with women disproportionately occupying the lowest-paid roles. Additionally, extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, and rising sea levels, destroy businesses, farmlands, and infrastructure, leading to widespread job losses. Women, who are overrepresented in informal and service industries, face even greater economic instability. Many are employed in precarious, temporary, or part-time jobs that lack job security, benefits, or financial protections, leaving them more vulnerable when climate-related disasters occur.

Same Storm, New Horizon

According to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) report on Trends in Caribbean Migration and Mobility, Caribbean women often seek migration in hopes of better economic opportunities, which is driven by limited economic opportunities, limited employment prospects, and wage disparities in their native countries. However, upon arrival in the aforementioned host countries, they are faced with an array of vulnerabilities, such as long working hours with inadequate pay, substandard living conditions, with limited access to legal protections. This dreadful combination of factors often leads to a cycle of exploitation that is difficult to escape from for both girls and women from the Caribbean.

Labour trafficking is another significant concern for displaced Caribbean women. Traffickers exploit their desperation and lack of viable employment options, coercing them into forced labour situations, which leads to 52 per cent of the girls from the Caribbean accounting for detected trafficking victims, whilst women account for 30 per cent; the illicit nature of the irregular migration channels and deceptive recruitment practices (exorbitant fees leading to debt bondage increases the susceptibility of these women to trafficking).  Once entrapped, these women and girls endure various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological violence, all while being stripped of their freedom and basic human rights. Addressing the exploitation of Caribbean women in low-wage jobs abroad requires a multifaceted approach, including the implementation of strict regulations against exploitative labour practices and the provision of accessible support services for victims. 

Three Fronts, One Movement

The intersection of climate justice and labour in the Caribbean requires us to address the challenges faced by the most vulnerable workers, who are often women. To ensure the safety of those who are most disproportionately affected by climate change, sustainable labour practices and mitigations must be implemented. There have been some policies implemented, such as the work of the International Labour Organization, with initiatives such as the Just Transition Project in Jamaica to ensure a greener future. Some outputs have been revised policy development positions, social dialogue governance, and institutionalized social protection policies. Another example of a policy ensuring the protection of the environment and human rights is the Escazú Agreement. This agreement ensured that workers could be heard and address concerns in environmental decision-making, take legal action if instances of environmental damage take place, and protect the rights of workers. More policies are needed to ensure socio-economic and ecological resilience.

Photo by Ma Ti on Unsplash

An intersectional approach is necessary for the adaptation of labour policies about climate change, ensuring that the effects are mitigated. This lens ensures that those who are the most vulnerable are not forgotten. It is crucial that policymakers, businesses, and the public understand and uphold the measures needed for workers' rights and that the environment is protected. Sustainable practices, investments in green and eco-friendly technologies, and promotion of public advocacy are all needed. The policies already in place are the foundation needed for these ideas to be built upon, just as one would adapt their habits to an ongoing effort.