W OMEN AT WORK Where are we now ?

W OMEN AT WORK 2007 Employment Rate for women in Ireland was 60.3% up from 48% in 1998 and above the EU target : 921,600 women in employment 1,186,900 men in employment 526,000 women looking after home and family (cso census)

W OMEN AT WORK Where are women working?

W OMEN AT WORK % employed in Clerical/Admin. Compared to 5.1% of men Professional occupations were most gender balanced 49.8% women Craft and related least gender balanced men representing 95.7%

W OMEN AT WORK Education : 85% women in Primary level 62% in second level. Management level 51% and 38% respectively. Health: 80% women, 32% Consultants Civil Service: 77% clerical, 24% Sec.Gen Hotels/restaurants: 58% female. Cleaning: 55% female Wholesale/Retail: 48.9% female

W OMEN AT WORK Hours worked (2008) Womens average hours per week – 31.3 Mens average hours per week _ 40.3 Women represented 79.9% of persons working max. 19 hours per week.

W OMEN AT WORK Gender pay gap The gender pay gap is given as average gross hourly earnings of female paid employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees (cso) Latest figures available 2009 CSO Report womens hourly earnings were around 87% of mens. EC figures: 18% across the EU (Ireland comes in at 17.1%). Lowest in Italy 4.9%

W OMEN AT WORK Gender Pay Gap In all sectors men earn more than women GPG smallest in clerical/admin 91% of male average. Greatest in Sales occupations 75% of male earnings.

W OMEN AT WORK Union Organisation and membership

W OMEN AT WORK CSO tells us Q % of employees in Ireland were in Trade Unions up from 31% in Highest membership rate in Public Admin at 81%. Lowest in Hotels/Food Services at 6%.

W OMEN AT WORK ICTU Figures 2010 Total membership for the whole island: 812,848 Female membership: 414,719 – 51% Total female membership ROI: 288,208 Total female membership NI: 126,543

W OMEN AT WORK What progress have we made?

W OMEN AT WORK ICTU established Committee on Equal Pay in1965. Ist Report of the Commission on Status of Women in Removal of the marriage bar in 1973 Legislation : Anti Discrimination Act 1974 Employment Equality Act 1977 now replaced by Acts Maternity Leave/Parental leave/Adoptive Leave and Protection of Employees (Partime Workers) Act etc.

W OMEN AT WORK Work Life Balance arrangements now being included in more collective agreements. More accessible in Public Sector. Improved Legislative Protection.

W OMEN AT W ORK Barcelona Council agreed targets of childcare provision for at least 90% of children aged between 3-6 years and 33% at least of children below 3 years by Ireland has insufficient data to measure its performance. QNHS indicates the effect having young children in the family has on female employment.

W OMEN AT W ORK In 2008, employment rate for women years was 66.1%. The rate varied from 87.4% for women with no children to 56.9% for women whose youngest child was aged between 0-3 years.

W OMEN AT WORK What are the issues for women at work into the future ?

W OMEN AT WORK Issues include: Lack of Union Organisation particularly in the low pay area (JLCs) Continuing Gender Pay Gap Childcare Cost/Availability Glass Ceiling

W OMEN AT WORK Conclusion: This area has been well researched and and we have achieved a lot. It speaks volumes about the value of well organised Trade Union Movement in which women are visible and vocal participants. Our predecessors laid down strong foundations for us to continue the struggle to achieve a fairer and more equitable society.

W OMEN AT WORK Our campaigns must extend beyond our own island. We must reach out to those women who are in a struggle across the globe. From the vantage point of what we have achieved we must ask why one in eight women on the African Continent will die in childbirth. We must question the regime that keeps Afghani women silent and illiterate. It is important that we use our experience and knowledge to promote the cause of women across the world.