WOMEN IN LATVIA AND IN TRADE UNIONS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES

Transcription

1 Meeting of the Baltic States Trade Union National Women Coordinators WOMEN IN LATVIA AND IN TRADE UNIONS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES March 2016, Jurmala, Latvia Ariadna Ābeltiņa, Coordinator of LBAS Gender Equality Council, EESC Member

2 Latvia General Overview Active population 998,1 th.; women 502,9 th. Employed persons 900 th.; women 452,2 th. Unemployed persons 98,1 th.; women 43,0 th. Unemployment rate % ; 51,8 % - women (at the end of January 2016) At-risk-of-poverty rate in ,6% men, 34,4% women Average monthly wage 818 EUR Minimum monthly wage 370 EUR Gender pay gap 14,4% (2013, Eurostat) Gender pension gap 16,2% (2012) Education level for women is higher than for men, in particular having University degree 65% women in Parliament of Latvia (Saeima) 16% women Government of Latvia 2 women (14%) European Parliament 4 women (50%) Gender Equality Index 35,2 (100-full equality; 1-no equality), 11th among EU Member States (2012)

3 Progress: In general - some progress in the context of gender equality is observed: At present the Ministry of Welfare is preparing new policy planning document on implementation of women and men equal opportunities and rights for to continue promotion of gender equality in Latvia Gender equality was one of Latvia Presidency (2015) priorities for development cooperation policy giving positive input for EU post 2015 process. Evaluating state support for development cooperation projects gender equality principles are important criteria CSR -Family friendly enterprise status for companies implementing policies of reconciliation of work and family life and promoting services or availability of goods for families with children

4 Progress More and more women enter the labour market and obtain university and professional education Comparatively (EU level) women employment level in Latvia is quite high 67,3 % ( at the end of 2015) 1/3 of all CEOs in business women; ~33% women in company Boards (EC 2016 report: France, Sweden, Latvia) High women number observed in court system and civil service where many women have leading positions During last years a man s role has increased sharing baby care by using 10 days leave after child birth. More men receive child care (parental) benefits 18 % in 2015

5 Challenges: Stereotypes: according to 2014 public survey 85% respondents replied that financial welfare of the family is a man s responsibility Occupational segregation (horizontal and vertical): Analysing pay gap by sectors it is obvious that the pay gap is higher in professions where more than half of employees are women (health, education, service) Lack of sufficient accessibility to child care services, flexible working time, effective reconciliation of work and family life Violence against women: On average every third woman in her life has suffered from her partner s violence About 30% children have suffered from domestic violence Important task for Latvia - to join Istanbul Convention, by thus showing readiness to solve the problem of violence against women and to adopt consolidated and effective policy.

6 Women in Trade Unions Total number of union members: 97593, women: / 66% Leadership: 2 men, 1 women LBAS 20 affiliated organisations Chairpersons 13 men, 7 women General Council 23 men, 27 women Steering Committee (Board) 10 men, 5 women Gender Equality Council 1999 (representatives from affiliated union except transport) : Statutory Body: Advisory status in General Council; Chairperson of GEC is a Congress delegate Meetings of GEC: 3-4 times/year

7 Progress: Women membership is stable Women in highest decision-making bodies of LBAS Represented at national level Positive tradition: study visits to companies/enterprises to discuss women issues/working conditions/wages/cba/ reconciliation of work and family life October, 2015 company Spodriba (high quality and environmentally-friendly detergents, maintenance products and cleaning agents ) discussions with women workers, company director, shop-steward Women s Day activities ( discussions on gender pay gap, women and health, etc.) ESF Project on capacity building of LBAS ( ) : many events, publications, informative materials, conferences, workshops Regular LBAS opinions on EC, ETUC, national positions, responses to public consultations, letters to Ministers

8 Challenges: Stereotypes still prevailing among trade union leaders Lack of particular interest in gender equality, women issues Lack of new initiatives, ideas Lack of financing for major gender equality events, publications, leaflets, training Lack of proper integration of gender equality issues in CBAs Inspite of several major activities of trade unions LVSADA and LIZDA, women dominated sectors (educations, health and social care) remain low paid one of obstacles for gender pay gap

9 Our goals: - better focus to international women cooperation - strengthening of women solidarity at national and international level - more and better gender mainstreaming in CBAs - finding solutions for reducing gender pay gap - promotion of women in decision-making bodies and in leadership positions - new legislative and political initiatives and efforts needed both at EU, national and trade union levels to implement gender equality in practice

10 Just two women in the Government your opinion It's normal. Too hard work for women Pseudoproblem. Equal opportunities for all It's women discrimination 28% 40% Representation quotas should be introduced 13% 19% Source: Diena.lv ; 26 February 2016

11 Thank you!