Priyamvada Ashok MhaddalkarAIR 13 · CSE 2021 · 171 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Unpaid labour refers to the work that is done without earning any wages corresponding to it. eg: household chores done by women.
Body · points
→ Margaret Benston extensively studied the unpaid labour performed by women and highlighted that this plays a major role in the profits of the capitalists.
→ If women are paid for their labour at home, it would bring about a major redistribution of wealth and reduce inequalities.
→ Even as women participate increasingly in the workforce, the task of running the household is still the primary responsibility of the women.
→ Additional time is spent in child-rearing and ensuring correct socialisation of the children.
→ At times this role also acts as an ideological conditioning device as highlighted by David Cooper, which produces obedient workforce that serves the purpose of the capitalists.
→ Women thus bear the burden of 'double shift' while managing both professional and domestic duties.
Close · a way forward
Thus, it is high time to explore the thought of paying women for their unpaid labour and bringing about redistributive justice.