This paper argues that processes of economic globalisation have significantly transformed labour markets in Asia during the last three decades. A central feature of this transformation is the growing importance of female labour at the core of economic processes This feature has been extensively discussed by feminist economists and anthropologists but received relatively, little attention in macro-policy debates At best, policies towards women workers are viewed as welfare measures of primary interest to the women themselves. The paper argues that such a view is short-sighted and its limitations are becoming evident in the context of the recent economic crisis