Low Contribution Of Fishermen’s Wives To Family Income On Seafishing Industrial Sector In Indonesia (A Case Study In Rembang, Central Java, Indonesia)

Abstract

Majority of the coastal community members in Indonesia still rely their life on fishing. Most of fishermen in the community are small-scale fishers, fishing workers, small-scale fish processors, and small traders. Efforts to obtain a larger income need support from family members. The role of husbands as the heads of family, responsible in earning a living, needs to be supported by their wives. The role of wives is as their husbands’ helpers in acquiring a livelihood as to raise their family income. The objective of this research is to analyze factors influencing women to enter workforce and their contribution to raising their family income. To analyze the case, theories of gender and development, women empowerment, and family economy are needed. This research used quantitative methodology. Its samples consisted of 85 fishermen’s wives from several villages that have active fish processing home industry in Rembang, Central Java. The results of research show that the income contribution of fishermen’s wives to the family income was still low, amounting to 33.13%. Factors influencing the wives to take up work were their education level and their motivation to work, while factors influencing their income were time allotted to work and types of work.