International Trade Union Confederation – ITUC Sofia May

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%; 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

Objectives for Decent Work, Decent Life for Women Decent work for women Gender equality in trade union structures, policies and activities

Since the launch of the Campaign on 8 March 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 Marchworldwide publication of the Gender Pay Gap report II 7 October2 nd World Day for Decent Work 25 NovemberUN Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women 8 MarchInternational Women’s Day

CAMPAIGN WEB SITE AND LIST Campaign webpage: click on ‘equality’ and ‘women’ for the Campaign Guide, Wage Gap Report and Morewww.ituc-csi.org Campaign list – send your addresses to

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:

WageIndicator database Income Data Services 300,000 individual self-reported surveys in 24 countries ArgentinaGuatemalaPoland BelgiumHungaryRussia BrazilIndiaSouth Africa ChileItalySpain DenmarkKoreaSweden FinlandMexicoGreat Britain FranceUSA Paraguay GermanyThe Netherlands

Three parts in the report: 1.The gender pay gap 2. Women’s position in the labour market during economic downturns 3. Violence against women

2008: Global pay gap: 16,5 % 2009: Global pay gap: 22 %

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

The impact of part time jobs

Trade union membership has a positive influence on the gender pay gap

About 25 % are dissatisfied with their Work-Life balance Work-Life balance

The impact of the recession on women’s employment

More women in boardrooms!

Violence Against Women

Gender Violence Throughout the Life Cycle (Source: The World Bank, 1994) [i] [i] Phase Type of violence present Prenatal: Battering during pregnancy; coerced pregnancy; deprivation of food and liquids; sex-selective abortion Infancy: Female infanticide; emotional and physical abuse; differential access to food and medical care for girl infants Childhood: Child marriage; genital mutilation; sexual abuse by family members and strangers; differential access to food and medical care; child prostitution Adolescence: Rape and marital rape; sexual assault; forced prostitution; trafficking in women; courtship violence; economically coerced sex; sexual abuse in the workplace Reproductive age: Abuse of women by intimate partners; marital rape; dowry abuse and murders; partner homicide; psychological abuse; sexual abuse in the workplace; sexual harassment; rape; abuse of women with disabilities; legal discrimination Old age:Abuse and exploitation of widows

Who bears the costs? A UK example. (Source: Walby, 2004) [i] [i] Type of cost StateIndividual victim Employer s Total cost (£ millions) Criminal Justice System1,017 Health care: Physical1,208121,220 Mental health176 Social services228 Housing and refuges Civil legal costs All services2, ,111 Employment1,336 2,672 Sub-total2,9181,5281,3365,783 Human costs17,08217,086 Total (£ millions)2,91818,6101,33622,869 [i] [i] Walby, S. (2004), The Cost of Domestic Violence. Publication of the UK Department of Trade and Industry, Women and Equality Unit.

Recommendations Bold action by politicians and policy makers Need of statistics Making women aware of the benefits of trade union membership Women’s agenda Violence against women cost!