Women with Precarious labour Netherlands

Content 1.Introduction 2.Workgroup international solidarity 3.Example projects focus gender aspects 4.Specific problems 5.Flex workers 6.Women and part-time work 7.Women problem workplace & society in general 8.Strategies to improve position women & role of TU 9.Optimism

Introduction Gesina Hoogsteen Living: Amsterdam, Holland Occupy: Chemical analyst At Albemarle Catalyst company 28 years FNV trade union activist Member of FNV workgroup Int. Solidarity

Workgroup international solidarity Platform of activists – from all sections of FNV trade union. Taking decisions to support world wide solidarity projects. Fundraising by – 0.7% of the total contribution trade union members. – collective agreement (CAO) by negotiation between employer and unions. – Financial support by government.

Workgroup international solidarity Criteria to judge the proposal projects: – Obtain trade union empowerment – Gender dimension focus on participation women equal treatment – Improve position of the workers. – International exchange and support between activists – Sustainability for self supporting

Projects focus gender aspects (1) Organizing women network of independent trade union, Belarus

Projects focus gender aspects (2) Empowerment women working in free trade zone's – Sri Lanka, – Indonesië – Mexico

Projects focus gender aspects (3) Empowerment and organizational strengthening of women working in shrimp peelers industry, Morocco

Specific problems Market economy in public sector extreme introduced Dramatically increase of Flex workers People with solid job are dismissed as to be return as flex worker. Dismissed workers at age > 40 years don’t find decent work in relation of their skills.

Flex workers Dramatically increase – %, % Earn less (± 5% and even more) than colleagues permanent contract. Continue threat in losing work No prospect permanent contract No equal working conditions for equal work like vacation rights, pensions view, job training

Women and part-time work Women work part-time <32 hrs, more than men. Employer image: women are less ambitious. Research shows men and women are equally ambitious, but –Men are stronger than women focused on high salary, promotion and status – Also cultural change important: More balanced division of tasks between men & women in the sphere of work & private life Need to be widely supported and implemented.

Women problem workplace & society in general Men want to give more time for their children, if the work allows. For women works the other way around: they want work more as the reception and care for the children is properly regulated.

Women problem workplace & society in general Neoliberal policy (free market economy) leads that women friendly rights degrade at accelerated tempo: – It fails when it comes to facilities necessary in order to combine work and family care. – Government cuts child care that leads to reduce in working hours of women. The mother than chooses work shorter hours, instead of both parents.

Strategies to improve position women Cultural change: 1.Decision makers: In top positions of companies, profit & non profit still mainly white and man. 2.More balanced division of tasks between men & women in the sphere of work & private life

Strategies to improve position women & role of Trade Union Trade Union issue Netherlands: – People think TU is conservative, only for grey men. – Not popular for young people to become a member. – Participation of women activists is low. – Increasingly difficult for activist to act and participate Surprising development in cleaning sector. – Especially migrant women playing important role to demands attention for more wage and better working conditions.

Strategies to improve position women & role of Trade Union Awareness for gender aspects Training for women: empowerment & negotiating Construction of permanent women network/workgroup/commission to be preferred. Social dialogue with employee and government

Optimisme

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