WOMEN Organising Globally, Building Unions Locally Diana Holland Chair ITUC Women’s Committee

What has international organisation got to do with me??? Working for a multi-national company Working as a migrant worker Job threatened with outsourcing to another country Solidarity wanted for a workplace struggle Standing up against Anti-union and human rights abuses, violence against women Union organisation internationally can make the difference

1.2 BILLION WOMEN IN THE WORLD TODAY ARE IN WORK 40% of world employment

AND yet, … Women are 60% of the world’s poor and working poor Women earn 12-60% less than men co- workers Over 60% of working women are in “informal” work

Women internationally A shared agenda Different priorities eg maternity rights –Longer paid maternity leave in UK –No forced pregnancy test for job in airline in India –Introduction of legal maternity rights in USA –Hiding pregnancy in male-dominated work in South Africa Recognition and valuing of work women do in all regions of the world Sisterhood, Solidarity, Support Inspiration

ITUC Report Gender Pay Gap stuck at 16% worldwide

The ITUC Represents 168 million workers 40% of them women In 55 countries and 4 regions Africas Americas Asia-Pacific Pan-European Is made up of 311 national affiliates – trade union centres

ITUC Women’s Committee and Conference Trade union women elected from all regions of the world Works for gender parity (50:50) in all decision-making and negotiating bodies Promotes international solidarity between women trade unionists First ITUC World Women’s Conference October 2009 Brussels

Unions4women women4Unions ITUC Campaign to organise working women Targeting women and issues important to women INCREASES MEMBERSHIP RATES BY UP TO 150% Organising and campaigning together –Discrimination - Maternity - Pay Equity –Childcare - Protection from Sexual Harassment

ITUC Women’s Committee work programme ITUC Action Programme on achieving Gender Equality in Trade Unions ITUC Charter Rights of Working Women Guide on Sexual Harassment UN Beijing Platform for Action ILO Gender and Domestic Workers Action on International Women’s Day DECENT WORK, DECENT LIFE FOR WOMEN CAMPAIGN

As birds are born to fly so are women born to be free