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International Trade Union Confederation – ITUC Sofia May 7-8 2009. Equality at global level Equality at the workplace. Decent Work Decent Life for women Campaign. Previous International campaigns show e.g.: Increase in women membership rates up to 150%;
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International Trade Union Confederation – ITUCSofia May 7-8 2009
Decent Work Decent Life for women Campaign Previous International campaigns show e.g.: • Increase in women membership rates up to 150%; • Increase of women in elected positions; • Unions prioritise advocacy work, collective bargaining on gender equality at work e.g. maternity protection, child care, pay equity and protection from sexual harassment.
Campaign actions Calling for a review of national labour legislation and urging governments to ratify and implement ILO Conventions e.g. : • C. 183, Maternity protection ITUC video • C. 156, Workers with Family responsibilities • C. 100, Equal Remuneration • C. 111, Discrimination
Decent workfor women Gender equality in trade union structures,policies and activities Objectives for Decent Work, Decent Life for Women
Since the launch of the Campaign on 8 March 2008 • 90 National Centers in 61 Countries have joined the Campaign • Events to kick of the Campaign focusing on: Maternity protection rights Child care facilities, Pay Equity Work – life balance Gender equality in trade unions
Decent Work Access to productive work in conditions of freedom, equality, security, and dignity. The four pillars of Decent Work: 1. Standards and rights at work, 2. Employment creation 3. Social protection 4. Social dialogue.
Campaign actions • Gender Equality at the centre of collective bargaining and social dialogue • More women in elected positions • Significant increase of women membership rates
Tips for activities Pilot Survey – ‘Ask a Working Woman’ carried out by ICFTU in 2000 The most frequently ticked reasons why women do NOT join a union were: 1. Do not understand how union can help me (71.7%) 2. Have no time because of family responsibilities (58.4%) 3. No one has approached me (57.6%) 4. Negative image of union (50.8%) 5. Union not sensitive to my needs (42.4%) 6. Male dominated (38.0%) 7. Fear reprisal by employer (34.2%) 8. Objections from spouse or family (27.3%) 9. Membership dues (25.2%)
Campaign Key Dates 8 March worldwide publication of the Gender Pay Gap report II 7 October 2nd World Day for Decent Work 25 November UN Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women 8 March International Women’s Day
CAMPAIGN WEB SITE AND E-MAIL LIST • Campaign webpage: www.ituc-csi.org, click on ‘equality’ and ‘women’ for the Campaign Guide, Wage Gap Report and More • Campaign email list – send your email addresses to equality@ituc-csi.org
ITUC report on the global gender pay gap: Gender (in)equality in the labour market: an overview of global trends and developments You can find the report here: www.ituc-csi.org
WageIndicator database Income Data Services 300,000 individual self-reported surveys in 24 countries Argentina Guatemala Poland Belgium Hungary Russia Brazil India South Africa Chile Italy Spain Denmark Korea Sweden Finland Mexico Great Britain France USA Paraguay Germany The Netherlands
2. Women’s position in the labour market during economic downturns Three parts in the report: The gender pay gap 3. Violence against women
2009: Global pay gap: 22 % 2008: Global pay gap: 16,5 %
Biggest pay gaps: Brazil 38,5 % Argentina: 29 % Mexico 36 % Smallest pay gaps: Paraguay 11 % Denmark: 12 % Sweden: 13 %
Earnings between men and women widens with age
The higher the education – the higher the negative impact
Wider pay gap in the private sector - but not always
Trade union membership has a positive influence on the gender pay gap
Work-Life balance About 25 % are dissatisfied with their Work-Life balance
The impact of the recession on women’s employment
Gender Violence Throughout the Life Cycle (Source: The World Bank, 1994)[i]
Who bears the costs? A UK example. (Source: Walby, 2004)[i] [i]Walby, S. (2004), The Cost of Domestic Violence. Publication of the UK Department of Trade and Industry, Women and Equality Unit.
Need of statistics • Bold action by politicians and policy makers • Making women aware of the benefits of trade union membership Recommendations • Women’s agenda • Violence against women cost!