Female labour force participation: the case of Trinidad and Tobago
| Pages | 183-193 |
| Date | 01 February 2012 |
| Published date | 01 February 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20425961211247789 |
| Author | Karen Anne Roopnarine,Dindial Ramrattan |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management |
Female labour force participation:
the case of Trinidad and Tobago
Karen Anne Roopnarine and Dindial Ramrattan
Research Department, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically some of the factors which influence
the ability and/or desire of women to join the labour force in Trinidad and Tobago.
Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used is based on a probit model employing
variables such as education, age and earnings to estimate the probability of participation.
Additionally, the influence of country-specific qualitative factors, such as ethnicity and religion, were
also considered.
Findings – The results of the model revealed that the level of schooling, age, household headship, and
being single have positive influences on female participation in Trinidad and Tobago. Conversely, the
presence of children in the household, accessing social security programmes, and chronic illness had
negative effects on participation.
Social implications – National surveys such as the Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) and the
Household Budget Survey (HBS) have revealed a higher incidence of poverty among women compared
to men in Trinidad and Tobago.One possible reason for this is the co rresponding lower labour force
participation rate of women when compared to men.
Originality/value – This research is particularly unique since it included both economic and non-
economic variables (religion and ethnicity) specific to the Trinidadand Tobago economy to investigate
female participation in the labour market. Furthermore, the results of this research can serve as a
useful tool for more gender-sensitive policy formulation in Trinidad and Tobago, and possibly the
wider Caribbean region.
Keywords Trinidad and Tobago, Women, Labour, Poverty, National economy,
Labour force participation rate, Female labour force, Household Budget Survey
Paper type Research p aper
1. Introduction
Statistics based on the Trinidad and Tobago economy, such as those derived from the
Survey of Living Conditions and the Household Budget Survey (HBS), reveal that
women have had a higher incidence of poverty than men in all years[1] these surveys
were conducted. In 2005 (which is the most recent year national poverty statistics were
published), 38 per cent of the poorest households in Trinidad and Tobago were headed
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5961.htm
World Journal of Entrepreneurship,
Management and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 8 No.2/3, 2012
pp. 183-193
rEmeraldGroup Publishing Limited
2042-5961
DOI 10.1108/20425961211247789
The authors are Economists in the Research and Policy Department of the Central Bank of
Trinidad and Tobago. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of
the Central Bank.
The authors would like to thank the following persons for their suppo rt and technical
comments: Dr Alvin Hilaire, Dr Reshma Mahabir, Ms Angela Henry, Mrs Tanisha Mitchell-Ryan
and Ms Rekha Sookraj, all Economists at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The authors
would also like to acknowledge and thank Mr Sterling Chadee from the Central Statistical Office
and Dr Godfrey St Ber nard from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus.
In addition, the authors are grateful to all those who were present and provided suggestions
during the Research Department’s Weekly Discussion Series held on February 16, 2011.
183
Female
labour force
participation
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