WOMEN are not targeted when it comes to layoffs, but more of them may lose their jobs as they are over-represented in sectors most severely affected by the recession, such as manufacturing.

That is the assessment of NTUC deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob, who notes that a larger number of production operators are women, particularly in battered sectors such as electronics.

She was speaking to reporters at the labour movement's International Women's Day celebrations yesterday.

As global demand plunged last year, the export-oriented manufacturing sector saw 8,300 layoffs, or 60 per cent of total retrenchments last year.

Madam Halimah pointed out that women seeking flexible work may be a better fit for companies who do not want to hire full-time or long-term staff.

Asked if there was a spike in the number of pregnant women who felt discriminated against, Madam Halimah said she has seen five cases so far this year, 'not an alarming number'.

'We will have to track and monitor. Even if it's a handful, it's not a question of numbers,' she said.

She also appealed to employers to assess female employees strictly on merit, not on their family status, whether they were married or had young children.

'This is unfair to the women. It also sends a wrong signal because we will not be in the downturn forever,' she said.

'When we recover, we will need to leverage on women as 50 per cent of the population is women. I hope companies will not take a short-term view but focus more on the long-term view, and view everyone as a resource,' she said.

ZAKIR HUSSAIN

This article was first published in The Straits Times.