WFTU TRADE UNION
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE & ALLIED (TUI-PS&A) STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL
WORKING WOMAN’S DAY
Monday
8 March, 2021
“Workers of the
world unite you have nothing to lose but your chains”
The World Federation
of Trade Unions [WFTU] Trade Union International Public Services and Allied
[TUI PS & A], a class oriented union representing more than 30 million
members around the world, joins millions of workers around the world in celebrating
the International Working Women’s Day on this 8th of March 2021.
Working women around the world deserve a future free from stigma,
stereotypes and violence; a future that’s sustainable, peaceful, with equal
rights and opportunities for all.
It is in this
context that in her statement for International Women's Day (8 March), UN Women
Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "We need women’s representation that reflects all women and
girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social,
economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real
societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and
benefits us all."
2020 was a devastating
year for workers around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2021 is
predicted to be worse as most economies around the world continue to struggle
to control the virus. Lockdowns have meant that most workers have lost their
incomes and livelihoods and do not enjoy either the protection provided for by
labour legislation nor the benefits of social security.
In most countries
women make up the majority of the frontline workers in the healthcare services
and care industries. Some of these women doing care work are immigrants who
endure poor pay and poor working conditions. Equally, it is women who dominate
in the informal sector and occupy the bottom place in their respective
economies and have therefore endured the worst impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
Many communities around the world have reported an increase in incidences of domestic
violence and abuse against women on account of the Covid-19 related lockdowns.
Under the strenuous
conditions brought about by the COVID-19,womenall over the world are united in
saving lives whilst at the same time, being called upon to put their own lives
at risk as they take a lead in the fight against the global coronavirus
pandemic. This under extremely challenging circumstances such as insufficient
and inadequate protective personal equipment, hospital bed shortages, limited
staff and long hours. We know that Covid-19 has taken a significant emotional
and psychological strain on people. Given the challenges faced singularly by
women, one can only imagine their collective vulnerability to depression and
anxiety.
Several studies have
estimated that women, who make up 60% of the poor working population face
particular barriers and, access to assets and participation in economic growth.
Some of the challenges faced by women include but are not limited to the
following:
·
Women are less likely to have (paid) jobs
than men, due to the gender gap in employment.
·
Women‘s jobs are more likely to be
concentrated in the informal economy and in low value-added activities.
·
Women are more likely to be in low-wage jobs
with poor working conditions or in unpaid work in the family and community
(e.g. care of children and elderly and sick people).
·
Women face continuous gender-based violence
at their places of work and in their homes.
·
Young women and girls have less
opportunities to attend primary and secondary school than young man and boys.
It is for these
reasons that TUI-PS&A will intensify its campaigns internationally through
its members in all continents for:
·
Awareness and implementation of fair labour
and legal rights for women.
·
The importance of girls' access to primary
and secondary school education.
·
An increase in women‘s representation in
higher value-added sectors, including by making the formal economy more
accessible and attractive for women.
·
Improved and equal wages and salaries for
women in work places.
We finally call upon
all our members to continue towork with WFTU globally to highlight the strong
message for women’s equal rights in health and safety at work and in society
and against violence at the workplaces and at home.
Issued
by Zola Saphetha General Secretary TUI-PS&A
For
media enquiries: Clever Banganayi (Information & Publicity officer (+27721426625),
clever@nehawu.org.za