Women to suffer most in Asian economic crisis

Asia's boom over recent decades lured millions of men and women from rural areas to work in urban industries producing garments, vehicles, electronics and other goods destined in many cases for western markets.

But as export orders have plummeted, industries have cut back working hours and pay, with millions of people forecast to be laid off throughout the region.

Lucia Victor Jayaseelan, executive coordinator for the Thailand-based Committee for Asian Women, says the crisis has had a profound impact on women workers.

"The crisis has hit export-oriented industries, like the manufacturing sector, the garment industry, the hotel and service industry, the tourist industry," she said.

"These are all heavily labour intensive and heavily (female); 80 per cent are women workers.

"[Many of them] are also migrant workers so if the market has dwindled or reduced or gone away, then it will be the women that will suffer."