Global Unions’ Organising Campaign. Unification: ICFTU - International Confederation of Free Trade Unions WCL - World Confederation of Labour and New.

Presentation on theme: "Global Unions’ Organising Campaign. Unification: ICFTU - International Confederation of Free Trade Unions WCL - World Confederation of Labour and New."— Presentation transcript:

1 Global Unions’ Organising Campaign

2 Unification: ICFTU - International Confederation of Free Trade Unions WCL - World Confederation of Labour and New affiliates ITUC

3 ITUC represents: 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 304 national affiliates

4 Promotion and defence of workers’ rights Global campaigning and advocacy Priority areas include: –trade union and human rights –economy, society and the workplace –equality and non-discrimination –international solidarity ITUC Mission & Priorities

5 ITUC is governed by World Congress, General Council and an Executive Bureau Regional structures: Africa, Americas and Asia-Pacific ITUC cooperates with the ETUC and the new ITUC Pan-European Regional Council (PERC) Women and Youth Committee ITUC

6 Global Union Federations and the Global Unions Council Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) Observer Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council International Labour Organisation. International Cooperation

7 ITUC Departments Equality Department Communication and Campaign Department – Youth Human and Trade union Rights Economy, society and work

8 Global Unions’ Organising Campaign

9 Campaign launched on 8 March 2002

10 Global facts on women: 1.1 billion (40%) of the world's 2.8 billion workers today are women Women represent 60 % of the world's 550 million working poor

11 25 to 90% of the world labour force are in the informal economy – majority women Constitute about 80% of the 50 million strong workforce in the export processing zones (EPZs) Feminisation of migration (48% of the 115 million) and in the most vulnerable jobs

12 Women at work face discrimination: lack of maternity protection and child care sexual harassment paid between 14 and 60% less than men Women face higher unemployment rates than men

13 Objectives Campaign: Significantly increase trade union women membership Equality at work: Advocate for women workers rights Equality in trade unions

14 Focus groups: Women workers in the informal economy Export Processing Zones Migrant women workers Young Women

15 Organizing Trade unionism: establishing the same workers rights for men and women Trade unions to give top priority to: -Organising and recruitment - young workers -Trade union recognition and -Negotiating collective agreements

16 Organizing is more then 1+1: Communication Representation Trade union priorities in policies, negotiations, activities Trade union structures Training and education

17 Overcoming multiple obstacles for women to join and integrate into the unions.

18 Obstacles related to work: Restrictions to join a union, Lack of childcare and maternity protection Irregular income or jobs

19 Obstacles related to male attitudes and behaviour: Dominance of male leadership Discrimination in trade unions Moral and sexual harassment.

20 Obstacles related to lack of information: What unions are and what they can do for women Never asked to join a union

21 Equality at work: Pay Equity Maternity and paternity leave Child care Shared family responsibilities no sexual harassment

22 Key equality Conventions: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111)No. 111 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100),No. 100 Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) andNo. 156 The Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183).No. 183

23 Equality in trade unions: Equal access to activities, decision making bodies, leadership positions: Positive action programs - minimum participation of 30% women Gender parity in trade union delegations

24 Equality in trade unions: Gender trade union policies, actions and programs

25 Unions for Women, Women for Unions 2005 – 1 st Assessment of the Campaign Positive impact on Trade union policies/ programs for women workers Promotion women workers rights Increase of women trade union activists and leaders

26 Unions for Women, Women for Unions 2005 – 1 st Assessment of the Campaign Specific Campaigns do result in an increase in women membership rates

27 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Increase women membership -40-50%: Spain, Bangladesh -30%: Australia, Brazil, -1.5 to 14%: Hungary, Switzerland, Congo, Uganda, Canada.

28 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Increase women membership: 150%: CGTM Mauretania

29 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Increase women membership: Tanzania: Women membership went up from 23 to 37%

30 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Increase women membership: FNPR Russia: 2% increase in women membership 58% women membership

31 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Increase women membership: Dominican Republic: 1500 women members

32 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Honduras: ICFTU Youth Solidarity Mission - Export Processing Zones

33 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Honduras: ICFTU Youth Solidarity Mission - Export Processing Zones

34 Unions for Women, Women for Unions 8 March 2006: Re-launch of the Campaign 54 National Centres from 46 countries

35

36 Unions for Women, Women for Unions

37

38

39 Campaign Kit www.icftu.org - equality www.icftu.org

40 Unions for Women, Women for Unions Unions4women – email list Spotlight interviews Video/ CD Rom www.ituc-csi – equalitywww.ituc-csi

41 8 MARCH 2007 – Global Unions International Women’s Day: Maternity Protection 8 March 2006 Unions For Women Women For Unions Action Day

42