Water, Equality
European Commission finally publishes pay transparency directive
After considerable delay the European Commission published its draft directive on pay transparency which the ETUC welcomed as having many good principles but lacking the real tools to make it work in practice. While the ETUC expects the directive to reduce secrecy on pay, it is concerned that pay audits and action plans will only apply to organisations with over 250 employees. The ETUC is also critical of the fact that the directive allows employers to define which jobs to use in comparisons of equal pay for work of equal value and refers throughout to ‘workers representatives’ instead of
ETUC highlights pay inequality in push for transparency directive
The ETUC is publishing examples of pay inequality from around in Europe in its campaign to put pressure on the European Commission to deliver on its promise of a pay transparency directive. The ETUC’s first examples from the manufacturing sector clearly how women are paid less even when their jobs require the same levels of skill and physical effort as those of men. The ETUC also points out that the Covid crisis has exposed the deep-rooted bias behind wages for professions dominated by women, with carers and cleaners recognised as ‘essential’ despite being amongst the lowest paid. ETUC (EN+FR)
Closing the gender pay gap in public services in the context of austerity
EPSU report on the gender pay gap in public services across Europe pointed to positive change between 2010-16 with the gender pay gap falling in education, health and social work and public administration (central and local government) and generally narrower than in the business sector.
Action on equal pay and low pay tops negotiating agenda
The FOA trade union, as part of a joint negotiating committee of public service unions, has submitted the main bargaining demands to employers in municipal and regional government with the focus on tackling low pay and pay inequality. The aim is for a flat rate pay increase that will be more beneficial to lower paid workers along with funding to reduce the pay inequalities suffered by occupations dominated by women. The unions also want to ensure a real pay increase that will protect purchasing power over the three years of the agreement that is set to run from 1 April 2021. Other demands
EPSU welcomes vote on Drinking Water Directive and step to realise Right2Water in EU Legislation
The European Public Service Union (EPSU) welcomes the vote on the Drinking Water Directive recast in the European Parliament (15 December) as a step forward to realise the Human Right to Water in the EU.
In our non gender equal world, COVID19 hits women harder - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2020
The impact of the Covid 19 pandemic is not gender neutral. In a world that keeps discriminating against women, at work and in society, women were hit harder by the sanitary emergency.
Cleaners' strike action underlines need for pay transparency directive
The ETUC has highlighted strike action by 600000 cleaners across Italy as part of its campaign to pressure the European Commission not to delay publishing draft proposals on pay transparency. The cleaners were striking over the failure of the employers in the sector to negotiate a collective agreement, seven years after the last one expired. With women dominating the low-paid cleaning workforce there is a major case to be made for action on pay equality along with proper recognition of their skills and the risks they have been taking during the current pandemic. ETUC (EN)
Energy unions secure 5.6% pay rise
Following mediation, trade unions ELogIT and Fagforbundet have negotiated a new energy sector agreement that delivers a 5.6% pay increase on all pay rates plus a NOK 27000 (EUR 2480) increase on the minimum wage rate for occupations requiring technical/vocational training taking it to NOK 460000 (EUR 42250). The agreement includes several other improvements to working conditions relating to changing and toilet facilities (particularly for women), standards for accommodation when working away from home and compensation for extra long shifts. A framework for home work is being developed in