Z 8012
FIET
WOMEN'S ACTIVITY REPORT 1991- 1995
FIET LIBRARY COPY
5th FIET World Women's Conference
Vienna, Austria
6-9 July 1995

*
Stiftung
uuog
*
FriedrichZ 8012
FIET
15, avenue de Balexert CH- 1219 Châtelaine- Genève
Schweiz
Telex: 418 736 FIET CH
Telefax:( 022) 796 53 21
Tel.:( 022) 979 03 11
FIET
1995

sto mobile
4th FIER Women's Activity Report bad
Homov
10x52 no
to slot ad or as asaibujong to agitilode 1991-1995 valgustid bombas nomow
2852
ni bevlovai sus vodTanoigen ist ni nomow The P Introduction
FIET is one of the largest trade union organisations in the world today representing 11 million private sector employees in over 100 countries. Nearly half of FIET's 11 million workers are women and it is forecast that by the year 2000 over half of FIET's membership will be women. The rise in women's membership reflects the
over
The Action Programme for Women Salaried Employees outlines FIET's objectives with respect to an equal right to education; the right to employment; maternity protection and parental leave; working hours; A solutions to the problems of working women and men with family responsibilities and integration of women in trade union activity.
FIET
growth in employment for women in the sectors represented by FIET.
The labour market has undergone profound changes in recent decades. The growth in service employment has brought millions of women around the world into the labour market. The share of overall employment taken up by the service sector has increased substantially. In many advanced economies the number of workers in retail and wholesaling, in banking and insurance, in high- technology, in property services and in professional and managerial grades, the traditional areas of FIET activity, has increased dramatically. Most analysts accept that by the year 2000 employment in services will outnumber that of manufacturing.
With this massive increase in the participation of women in the labour market, FIET and its affiliates are deeply concerned about the unfair treatment that women workers receive, in terms of pay, career opportunities and the lack of proper infrastructure and facilities to take account of workers with family responsibilities. The struggle for equality has been and will continue to be a priority for FIET
ACTION PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN SALARIED EMPLOYEES
FIET Working Women's Group
The FIET Working Women's Group is composed of members who are representatives from affiliated organisations, nominated by the FIET World Executive Committee. The Group meets yearly to co- ordinate activities between each World Women's Conference. The President is elected by the members of the Group. The Group adheres to the achievement of objectives embodied in the FIET Programme for Women Salaried Employees, including:
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
1

mination Regional Women's Co- ordinators |
elimination of any form of discrimination of discr based on sex or marital status abolition of prejudices as to the role of women and men and their employment establishment of equal job opportunities
10 Members of FIET Working Women's Group
19
on President: Irene Sundelin( SIF, Sweden) vise ni diwoTA ST25b80ab ineost ni 29gnads Vivian Bell( GMB, United Kingdom) Dina Bosch( DAG, Germany) ow bo Rose Boutaric( FEC- FO, France) to d Renate Csörgits( GPA, Austria) 1992 Anne Gibson( MSF, United Kingdom) Wanda Guimaraes( SBSI, Portugal) 15 Edwina Hart( BIFU, United Kingdom) Bernadette Hillon( USDAW, United 290 Kingdom)
is
ed
to
Liselotte Knudsen( HK, Denmark) Annie Massay( SETCa, Belgium) sy of yo Ulrike Oestreich( HBV, Germany) denuntu Pat Scarcelli( UFCW, USA)
Lillemor Smedenvall( FSU, Sweden) W Ans Van Uffelen( Dienstenbond, namow ow to Netherlands) bom
.9V
Regional Co- ordinators:
qqo
eshillost bo
AFRO- FIET: of ashili
Annie Mumba( ZUFIAW, Zambia) forow English- speaking Africa ed vilsupe not als Fatoumata Binta Berete Sylla( FSPC, Guinea) for French- speaking Africa APRO- FIET: Joan Warners( FinSec, New Zealand), who replaced Maureen Yap,( SBEU, Malaysia) in October 1994) IRO- FIET: Lourdes Orue Pozzo ( FETRABAN, Paraguay) who replaced Eva Calderon( ASIMRA, Argentina) in April 1995 OD NT son
how does mosted esivitos W
Secretary: D. Catherine Sánchez( from bAugust 1994), who replaced Penny ⠀⠀ Clarke, who was secretary from October 1 1991 to April 1994 Ta si of bei
bsi
FIET Regional Women's Co- ordinators represent and promote the interests of women trade unionists in FIET. Co- ordinators monitor, assess and influence developments affecting women in their regions. They are involved in the planning and implementation of FIET's educational activities for women. The co- ordinators assist in establishing appropriate women's structures in trade unions as a first step in enabling women to play a more active role in trade e unions. FIET Women's Co- ordinators expand leadership skills and experience in the international
labour movement, ately strengthVO
FIET's own structure.
qida
to tled 1970
od atoolten gidenedmom a'uomow ni sen odT The following trade union women are the FIET Regional Co- ordinators.
The FIET Regional Organisation for Africa ( AFRO- FIET)
ST
opubs of igit
Annie Mumba from ZUFIAW, Zambia Fatoumata Binta Berete Sylla from FSPC, Guinea ongsi ho zsitilidianoqast ylimoj diw Both trade union women have continued as women's co- ordinators for English and Frenchspeaking Africa, respectively. They have been active in a number of FIET activities in the region.
The FIET Regional Organisation for Asia and the Pacific( APRO- FIET)
Maureen Yap from SBEU Malaysia, the women's co- ordinator for the APRO- FIET region and Vice- President of the Women's Working Group, has stepped down from the position. Her successor, Joan Warners of the Finance Sector Union( FinSec) New Zealand, was appointed at the APRO- FIET Executive Committee meeting which was held in Kuching, Malaysia in October 1994.
The FIET Regional Organisation for the Americas( IRO- FIET)
Eva Calderon ASIMRA, Argentina stepped down from her position in mid- 1994. She was replaced in April 1995 by Lourdes Orue Pozzo of FETRABAN, Paraguay.
2
7 8012
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

4th FIET World Women's Conference
This was a conference with a difference. The 4th FIET World Women's Conference held in San Francisco in August 1991 was attended by 267 participants from 48 countries.
The theme was" Women at Work, Women in Society: FIET Fights for Equality."
Amongst the guest speakers were Joyce Miller, Vice President and Director of Social Services of ACTWU, and President of CLUW; Lenore Miller, President of the RWDSU; and Shirley Carr, President of the Canadian National Trade Union Centre, CLC.
The Conference achieved several objectives. Bringing together trade union women from all over the world reinforces a collective solidarity, where women can feel their strength as they dugoЯ
gather from different parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
The FIET Working Women's Group, under the presidency of Irene Sundelin( SIF, Sweden). worked during two annual meetings of the Group to change the structure of the event. As a result, the plenary sessions were kept to a minimum, consequently giving the delegates more time to discuss the Conference themes. Divided into seven groups, the delegates discussed the following sub themes: improving conditions through union action; and building strong unions through organising women. The organisation of smaller working groups enabled participants to engage in valuable discussion. The Conference allowed the women trade unionists to exchange examples and ideas on how equality can be promoted and implemented in practical ways. This was accomplished despite the variation of languages, history and culture.
The 4th FIET World Women's Conference paid tribute to Helga Cammell, who stood down as Secretary of the FIET Working Women's Group. She was replaced by Penny Clarke from the British TUC. Penny was Secretary of the Group from October 1991 until April 1994. This position is now held by Cathy Sanchez, who in August 1994 joined FIETube from the UFCW, United States. anoinu not been adi
WOMEN
OMEN AT WORK
IN SOCIETY:
FIET FIGHTS FOR EQUALITY
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
3

Meetings of the FIET Working Women's Group
The Working Women's Group has met yearly since the 4th FIET World Women's Conference in San Francisco in 1991: own gaib boshow luasia Anaya adi to s ⚫mun Geneva, 23-24 April 1992 • Prague, 1-2 April 1993
ini Geneva, 11-12 April 1994 -lot sr
Geneva, April 1992
pšanoo si zauzib
duscgniwol noinu dguoni dgoondi enol
The meeting was a follow- up to the 4th FIET World Women's Conference in San Francisco. Priorities for future initiatives for the Group were discussed. FIET Guidelines on Childcare, the ILO Equality Project for women in employment, FIET's education and solidarity activities, European Community developments were among the subjects on the agenda.
European Community issues were also discussed and the Group examined the major developments in current legislative proposals and in the European social dialogue. The Group requested the secretariat to look at the possibility of arranging a EURO- FIET women's meeting on specific EC issues.
Prague, April 1993
Participants discussed the economic recession and unemployment and the impact on women. They expressed concern that both crises were hitting women hard. They examined a number of EC developments which were of interest to all affiliates. These included the adoption of EC measures on sexual harassment, child care and maternity protection. The Group also discussed preparations for the 1995 Women's Conference to take place prior to the FIET World Congress.
Participants from the Czech and Slovak Republics added their voice to the concern that womKey issues identified were: family policy, women's jobs, particularly in times of recession or en's participation in trade unions, training and education, and working time issues.
In connection with family policy, the Group had a preliminary discussion of a manual for guidelines on childcare for FIET affiliates. The Group stressed the importance and availability of quality childcare to both women and men. They emphasised childcare as a major trade union issue.
" FIET's educational activities for women trade unionists" was a topic on the agenda. The Group heard from the four FIET Women's Coordinators about equality issues in their respective regions. The Group welcomed Fatoumata Binta Berete Sylla, from FSPS in Guinea, who attended the meeting for the first time as the new FIET Women's Co- ordinator for French- speaking Africa. Reports from the Regional Women's Co- ordinators indicated that education and training were necessary to remove the major obstacles for women's equality, particularly at higher levels.
economic restructuring, were still seen as less important than men's. They drew attention to the need for unions to develop equality action programmes in the workplace which addressed issues such as redundancy. They called for positive measures for women regarding training and career opportunities. The banking sector in Central and Eastern Europe had traditionally been considered" low status," employing mostly women. This was one example where women were being pushed out of employment in the process of restructuring and privatisation.
It was noted that all over Europe, women's unemployment was higher than men's. The Group stressed that women should not be seen as" flexible" labour to be discriminated against when it came to employment prospects. They pointed out that challenging the notion of the" man as the breadwinner" was still an important task for FIET.
The recruitment of women was another item discussed by the Group. A wide ranging debate
4
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

-KORUNY
ga- dail
sad ni estivides 2 nemow aviansixs 101 bean s The 1993 meeting of the FIET Working Women's Group took place in Prague on 1-2 April. Seated next to Irene Sundelin, President of the Group, is Antonella Braucks- Schulte, from the Equal Opportunities Unit of DG V, who spoke about women in the European Community.
19/ olgus
021
took place, involving the different union initiatives to review and develop recruitment strategies. The Group stressed the need for unions to be able to differentiate between particular groups of workers and the jobs that they have, in order to recruit, and perhaps more importantly, to retain women union members. The Group also reviewed activities in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas.
A spokeswoman from the Equal Opportunities Unit of the European Commission addressed the Group to update them on developments in the Community's Third Action Programme. The spokeswoman drew attention to the practical achievements of the Community in regard to women, such as a forthcoming manual on sexual harassment in the workplace. She also described efforts to" mainstream" women's concerns into the Community's policies and programmes. She drew attention to equal pay initiatives.
551252 28 11 29200 bexim baqolavǝbed bluo galioton 20
Geneva, January 1994
gaus
50.2705moW
ca Peu
A small working group met in Geneva on 27-28 January 1994 to prepare for the 1995 5th FIET World Women's Conference. The working group discussed the themes, agenda and the programme for the Conference. sadont2 poned
Geneva, April 1994
The main item on the agenda concerned preparations for the forthcoming World Women's Conference to be held in Vienna from 6 to 9 July 1995, prior to the World Congress.
The Group's discussion dealt with the aims, structure and content of the Conference and was based on two papers prepared by the secretariat following the meeting of the Group's preparatory working group in January. It was agreed
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
5

that the Conference should both enable women in FIET to exchange experiences and to develop future equality strategies. It was decided that the two themes for the World Conference should be: " Shaping our Working and Private Lives" and " Positive Action at the Workplace."
The Group finalised a questionnaire for FIET affiliates on participation of women in FIET trade unions. The questionnaire would be useful in evaluating the participation of women in FIET affiliates, for monitoring the participation of women and for examining the variation of issues women have in the different regions and unions. The FIET Secretary would provide a summary of the results for the 5th FIET World Women's Conference in Vienna.
Information was given about activities in FIET, with special emphasis on activities of women co- ordinators in Africa. It was said that there was a need for extensive women's activities in English- speaking and French- speaking Africa, and also for women to participate fully in all FIET mixed courses. It was suggested that more women's networking could be developed. It was also proposed that affiliates should try to send more women's news items to FIET.
As this was Penny Clarke's last FIET meeting, the Group thanked her for the work she accomplished during her time as Secretary. Penny is currently the Equal Opportunities Assistant at the ETUC in Brussels. In mid- August, D. Catherine Sánchez from the UFCW, USA and Canada, took over responsibility for work on Women and Equality at FIET headquarters.
incomes and the trends of economies world- wide are putting more and more pressure on both breadwinners. A major problem is that somebody must take care of the children.
To create affordable and good quality childcare has become an important trade union issue. The FIET brochure can assist trade union negotiators in discussing childcare issues with employers and public authorities. It deals with the principles of proper childcare and contains a wealth of practical information on designing and equipping the facilities. There is also a questionnaire included, useful for researching the needs of parents.
The FIET brochure on Childcare deals with the principles of good and proper childcare and also contains a wealth of practical information on solutions when designing and equipping the facilities. There is also a questionnaire included, to be used when finding out the needs of parents working in a company where childcare issues are about to be raised with the employer.
The
dre
FIET
CHILDCARE
FIET Publications
During the period under review, the following publications have been published:
Childcare
In most countries today, both the father and the mother are working. Families often need two
6
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

Filling the Gap
This is the title of an educational manual written and designed by AFRO- FIET women in Southern Africa, which involved the following persons: Annie Chabala Mumba, FIET Coordinator, Zambia; Lucius Gladys Matibenga, CWUZ, Zimbabwe; Judith Simwaka Chama, ZUFIAW, Zambia; M. Irene Motidi, SACCAWU, South Africa.
The laborious process invested in writing and editing the manual reached its final stages in Harare, Zimbabwe on 14- 18 November 1994. A group of women from various FIET affiliates congregated in Harare and engaged in intense discussions, resulting in the final editing of" Filling the Gap".
In addition to reviewing the manual, the trade unionists participated in a compact session of " train- the trainer" which was tailored to suit the needs for utilising the new manual as an educational tool. As a result, the women had an opportunity to practice planning, presentation and communication skills during the week.
The main objective is to integrate" Filling the Gap" as a tool in educational seminars in English- speaking Africa. Also, the women trade unionists of Southern Africa hope to give hope and encouragement to other unionists to take further initiatives in developing their own educational and organising materials.
" Filling the Gap" will be introduced and distributed at the Fifth World Women's Conference in Vienna, Austria in 1995.
La Femme a Mille Bras
This manuel was published in French in 1994. It was developed through a project supported by the LO/ TCO, Sweden, by women in Frenchspeaking West Africa, together with the AFROFIET Women Co- ordinator for the area and a Swedish project consultant. The manuel is intended for use as study circle material for women in French- speaking African countries.
Regional Activities
In the four regions, emphasis has been on educational activities. The following provides an overview of the activities in each region.
AFRO- FIET
Women's Activities in English- speaking Africa
November 1991: Women's Seminar for English- speaking Countries
Thirty four women trade union representatives from the English- speaking countries in Africa attended a seminar in Lusaka on 11 to 16 November 1991. The seminar was an important opportunity for women from 11 countries to meet to evaluate the women's roles in African society and in AFRO- FIET affiliates. The seminar was co- ordinated by Annie Mumba, FIET Women's Co- ordinator for English- speaking Africa, Penny Clarke, the Women's Secretary of FIET, and Alessandro Fogarin, FIET Education Consultant. The seminar assessed progress in achieving equality in trade unions and identified the cultural, educational and other barriers which are partially responsible for the lack of participation of women in unions and in society today. Participants reported on positive developments in trade unions, most of which have a Women's Officer and/ or Women's Committee. They expressed that women were still under- represented at all levels and that women's structures in unions were often under- utilised and had inadequate decision- making powers. This was true even where unions had a majority of female membership. The seminar adopted a number of conclusions, most importantly aimed at securing more women educators, negotiators and organisers in trade unions.
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
7

HANGING AFRICA 1993
257URI09251
DED ROW or wh
The AFRO- FIET Women Co- ordinators, Annie Mumba for English- speaking Africa( left) and Fatoumata Binta Berete Sylla for French- speaking Africa( right) play an important role in FIET's education work in Africa. During the period under review, twelve regional courses and a large number of national courses for women were organised. The Women Co- ordinators also contributed to the elaboration of two education manuals:" Filling the Gap," published in English, and" La Femme a Mille Bras," published in French.
wedi gañub allila noite
Women
noga- dailgo
ston Avd betanibio- 60 nibio- 00
May 1992: AFRO- FIET East African Regional Women's Workshop
A first East African sub- regional women's workshop was held from 21 to 23 May 1992 in Kampala, Uganda, following the successful Regional Women's Seminar for English- speaking Africa, held in November 1991 in Lusaka, Zambia. Under the inspiring leadership of the coordinator for women's questions, Annie C. Mumba, the sixteen participants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda followed an ambitious programme. Part of the workshop was devoted to the role of women in the East African countries. The host unions invited an experienced lecturer, Anna Magezi, President of the Ugandan Industrial Court. Ms. Magezi's excellent lecture encouraged a dynamic discussion among the group.
May 1993: Editorial Group Meeting
" Filling the Gap", the trade union manual for women brought an editorial group of six women together in Lusaka on 10 to 15 May 1993.
June/ July 1993: Sub regional Workshop for English speaking West Africa
19 women attended a sub regional workshop for English- speaking West Africa in Accra from 28 June to 2 July.
July 1993: East Africa Seminar
Nairobi was the venue for a seminar for East Africa. It was held from 19 to 23 July 1993 with 24 participants.
8
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

August 1993: Regional Workshop for Southern Africa
A regional workshop for 15 participants from Southern African unions was held in Mbabane from 15 to 18 August 1993.
Sh
These activities were conducted by Annie Mumba.
July 1994: Regional Seminar for Englishspeaking West Africa
OT- C
Aregional seminar for women was held in Accra, Ghana from 18 to 22 July, with 18 participants from 9 unions in English- speaking West Africa. The seminar was successfully organised and implemented in close co- operation with the ICU, Ghana, the local FES representative and AFROFIET/ FIET. It was sponsored by the German FES.
November 1994: AFRO- FIET Regional Women's Seminar for Southern Africa
A group of 23 women trade unionists from Southern Africa attended a Regional Women's Seminar in Harare, Zimbabwe from 14-19 November 1994 to complete the final editing of the training manual" Filling the Gap." This event was the culmination of several meetings organised to research and write this trade union manual. For the first time there were representatives from Mozambique, affiliated to FIET.
With the exception of the Nairobi and Accra seminars, which received funding from the German FES, these activities were sponsored by the Dutch FNV.
APR
Training C
The editing group that met in Harare, Zimbabwe in November 1994 to finalise the manual" Filling the Gap," written and designed by AFRO- FIET women in Southern Africa. The manual will be used as a tool in educational seminars in English- speaking Africa.
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
Friedrich
uucg
Dum

Women's Activities in French- speaking Africa
October 1991: Regional Seminar for Frenchspeaking Africa
A regional seminar for women trade unionists in French- speaking Africa took place in Conakry, Guinea on 7- 11 October. The 32 participants, representing nine countries, analysed the role of women in society and working life in West Africa. Participants defined priorities for their unions in reference to issues of special concern for women workers. Ultimately they collectively drew up plans for women's activities in their respective countries. During the women's seminar, it was recommended that Fatoumata Binta Berete Sylla, the General Secretary of the Health Workers' Union of Guinea, be appointed as the new women's co- ordinator for French- speaking Africa. FIET was represented at the seminar by Jan Furstenborg and Carin Andersson- Sjögren
of the FIET education department and by Rigmor Mjörnell, project consultant from TCO, Sweden.
January 1993: Workshop for Women Unionists Sahel Region
Prior to the Regional Conference a first workshop for women unionists from the Sahel region was held in Niamey from 29 to 31 January 1993 with 14 participants. It was co- ordinated by Fatoumata Berete.
December 1994- June 1995: Project for West Africa and Chad/ LO- TCO
The LO/ TCO project for French- speaking West Africa and Chad continued with the co- ordination by Fatoumata Berete and the Swedish Project Consultant, May Gauffin from SIF, Sweden. The Consultant visited( during 15 December 1994 to 6 January 1995) the Ivory Coast,
Berete
A workshop for women trade unionists from the Sahel countries of Africa preceded the AFRO- FIET Conference in Niamey in 1993. Ever since the FIET World Congress in Togo in 1987, women in the region have been working hard to increase their role in national and Pan- African unionism.
LES FEMMES SYNDICALISTES DU SAHEL EN LUTTE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT L'EGALITE ET LA SOLIDARITE
NIAMEY
1997
10
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. These four countries are covered by this project. During the mission, she organised meetings with union leaders and active women unionists. May Gauffin also organised workshops for women study circle leaders. This project ends in June 1995.
APRO- FIET
April- May 1991: 4th APRO- FIET Leadership Training Course for Women Trade Unionists
Twenty- eight women trade unionists representing twenty- six unions from ten countries participated in the Fourth APRO- FIET Leadership Training Course for Women Unionists. The course was held in Singapore from 29 April- 4 May 1991. This training course was part of APRO- FIET's strategy in the campaign to better integrate women into trade unions. The main objective of the course was to assist affiliates in preparing women activists to assume greater responsibilities in the union. Topics included organising, collective bargaining, grievance handling and trade union education. The course was implemented by a team of trainers trained by APRO- FIET. They were sisters: Margaret Quick, formerly with SBEU, Singapore; Ng Siew Lan, RRISU, Malaysia; and Tennakoon, CBEU, Sri Lanka. The course was led by Sister Maureen Yap, APRO- FIET Co- ordinator for Women's Activities, with the assistance of the Regional Secretariat staff.
May 1992: 5th APRO- FIET Leadership Course for Women Trade Unionists
Twenty- eight women trade unionists representing 25 unions from 9 countries in the Asian and Pacific region participated in the 5th APROFIET Leadership Training Course for Women
Bagu
Participants in the 4th APRO- FIET Regional Women's Conference, which took place on 22-23 October 1994 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, prior to the APRO- FIET Regional Conference. The Conference met under the theme: " The Struggle for Equality for Women in a Changing World: Challenges and Strategies."
lenoi
egni di blad aw 200 ST 21zinoinU aberT
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
嘿
11

01 w 200 on to
何 首
a
fabne
nomow not sao gninis qidensbas T81
-15d of agisqm adi ni yao a TH- О
A special display on the struggle for equality was put together for the 4th APRO- FIET Regional Women's Conference.
Nig
Trade Unionists. The course was held in Singapore from 17 to 24 May. The main emphasis of the course was on developing skills relevant to the work of the participants and to prepare them for leadership roles within their unions. In addition, the course programme included a workshop on organising strategies. This one- day workshop enabled the participants to exchange experiences on effective strategies to organise and integrate women into the trade union movement. The course was implemented by a team of trainers trained by APRO- FIET and led by Maureen Yap, APRO- FIET Co- ordinator for Women Activities.
APRO- FIET has assisted numerous affiliates in organising training courses for women at the union and national levels. Regional activities specifically for women did not take place in APRO- FIET during 1993; plans for the Regional Women's Conference were under way and financing was being explored.
gign
ni namoW tot nilpup tot algguru s October 1994: 8th APRO- FIET Regional Training Course for Organisers
FIET women from Pakistan, Singapore and Korea enthusiastically participated in the annual training course for organisers. Along with union brothers, the women trade unionists participated in a variety of workshops involving Organising Skills, Communication Skills, Study Circle Techniques, and Labour Education as a Tool for Organising Workers.
October 1994: 4th APRO- FIET Regional Women's Conference, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Women trade unionists met from 22-23 October in Kuching for the 4th APRO- FIET Regional Women's Conference. The theme for the Conference was" The Struggle for Equality for Women in a Changing World: Challenges and Strategies." The region welcomed Joan Warn12
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

ers of FinSec, New Zealand, the new APROFIET Regional Women's Co- ordinator and D. Catherine Sanchez, the new FIET Secretary for Equal Rights; both are experienced in recruiting and organising workers. Joan Warners made a presentation on" Equality for Women Within Trade Unions" and Jacinta Collins, National Industrial Officer of SDA, Australia, discussed " Sexual Harassment at Work"," Work and Family Responsibilities" and" Collective Bargaining for Equal Opportunities and Treatment at Work". The programme allowed for valuable exchange of issues and initiatives in advancing equality for women. APRO- FIET's Regional Coordinator, Joan Warners followed up with the first newsletter for APRO- FIET Women.
Baguio Remembered
The Philippine delegation at the 4th APRO- FIET Regional Women's Conference presented a theatrical mime in dedication and commemoration of the eight women unionists who perished during a fire which on 23 October 1984 gutted Pines Hotel Baguio, Philippines, the venue of the 2nd APRO FIET Regional Women's' Conference.
The memorial took place on 23 October, precisely ten years to the day that the tragedy occurred. Eulogies were delivered by Jim Maher, who was a participant in the 1984 Conference, M. Shibata, APRO- FIET President, and P. Jennings.
to noieqioinaq od
mow to noitet
пэто
ceer thqA
In a session charged with emotion, participants in the 4th APRO- FIET Regional Women's Conference remembered the eight women who lost their lives in a tragic hotel fire on the occasion of an APRO- FIET Women's Conference in Baguio in 1984. The memorium took place on 23 October, precisely ten years to the day that the tragedy occurred. Eulogies were delivered by Jim Maher, who was a participant in the 1984 Conference, M. Shibata, APRO- FIET President, and P. Jennings. The delegation from the Philippines presented a sound, light and mime drama which traced the last days of the lives of the victims.
APRO FIET REGIONAL WOMEN CONFERENCE
22-23 OCTOBER 1994 FOR EQUALITY
WOMEN IN A CHANGING WORLD RATEGIES
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
13

EURO- FIET
benadmasЯ luged
February 1992: Tripartite Seminar on Vocational Training
mamuno b
The Secretary to the Group attended a tripartite seminar on vocational training for women which took place in Spain from 17 to 18 February. Trade union representatives drew attention to the need for training provisions for women to be integrated into equal opportunities policies.
April 1992: FIET Working Women's Group Meeting bas
The examination of European Commission directives affecting women became an agenda item at the meeting of the FIET Working Women's Group, which took place in Geneva on 23-24 April 1992.
July 1993: EURO- FIET Seminar for Women Negotiators
si to vob sl of 25 st vis
The seminar, which took place in Brussels on 5-
ties in promoting equality against the background of rising unemployment and the lack of job security. Participants examined local union, national and international strategies to overcome obstacles towards equality and to ensure that interests of working women were given due prominence. They said that this involved both long- term and short- term strategies by FIET affiliates to tackle issues such as the redistribution of work, domestic and leisure time, job segregation, and education and training. Effective strategies on these issues would improve the quality of both men's and women's lives.
ait of div qu bewollot aansol Participation of Women in EURO- FIET Activities
Half of EURO- FIET's membership is female and the participation of women in trade unions in FIET's sectors is increasing. However, representation of women in the trade sections needs to be improved. In meetings of trade union representatives in multinational companies the situation is better as there are many female shop stewmittee also has a participation profile of women reflecting membership numbers. Regio zional
In reality this low level of integration of women in the more senior trade union functions mirrors the situation which exists in the workplaces that we are trying to change. In order to improve the level of women's participation in FIET's activities in the future, this question needs to be addressed in the trade sections as well as in the FIET Working Women's Group.
6 July, was attended by 70 senior women nego- ards in EURO- FIET's sectors. The Youth Comtiators; the link between working time and continuing unequal pay between men and women was one of the key issues. The seminar provided an opportunity for affiliates to help shape EURO- FIET's strategy in this area. The conclusions of the meeting confirmed that economic recession and unemployment were hitting women particularly hard. European Community measures on, for example, sexual harassment, child care and maternity leave, had tended to be based on a women's programme as opposed to an equality programme. FIET had welcomed efforts by the European Commission to " mainstream" women's issues into all spheres of Community policy. The seminar also looked at a number of issues concerning unemployment among women and men and policies on working time. The EURO- FIET seminar noted that in spite of 20 years of equality legislation in Europe, equality agencies and trade union initiatives, the gap between theory and practice was still wide, and in many cases the gap was widening. Participants reported increasing difficulGiving trade section activities a specific equality angle, and giving EURO- FIET's equality work a specific trade section focus, are therefore key aims of the Working Women's Group.
Other Activities
Other activities concerning women have focused on unions and child care, and the recruitment and retention of women into trade union mem14
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

bership. The Working Women's Group has had contacts with women from EURO- FIET affiliates in central and eastern Europe. Special efforts are needed in this region to assist in the women's position in the labour market, in unions and in society. A seminar for Czech and Slovak affiliates was organised on 3 April 1993.
In recent meetings of the Working Women's Group greater emphasis has been given to equality issues in the European Union. The Brussels Office plays an important role in helping EUROFIET develop activities in this area.
A number of women from affiliates in developing countries have had contact with EURO- FIET affiliates, such as the HBV/ FES/ FIET sponsored visit for women from Southern African affiliates in August 1993.
IRO- FIETomow ban nem gooted wilsupe bag cebnamab goigu oben abnemob' namow September 1992: Equality Seminar in Argentina
solo's Jon
2A
More than 60 women from FIET affiliates from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela participated in a Women's Seminar in Buenos Aires, from 14-16 September. The Seminar focused on the position of women in IRO- FIET trade unions, in the workplace and in society as a whole. Participants pointed out that the position of women in trade unions tended to reflect their situation in society at large. While progress had been made, a great deal remained to be done.
Trade unions are powerful channels for change; they have a pivotal role in promoting greater
та
More than 60 women from FIET affiliates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela participated in an IRO- FIET women's seminar held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in September 1992. In its conclusions the seminar called for increased participation of women in trade unions and for promoting equality through collective bargaining. The seminar stressed the link between recruiting more women into unions, increasing their participation at all levels, and making equality a central trade union demand. mow in
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
21 2521009
Вол
15

equality between men and women by making women's demands trade union demands, and thereby transforming work, unions and society.
As in the broader scope, there is often not a clear picture of women's position in Latin American society, due to a lack of data concerning women's employment as well as their membership and participation in trade unions. According to some estimations, there are some 30 million women in paid employment, 26% of the Latin American labour force.
Conclusions of the seminar called for increased participation of women in trade unions and for promoting equality through collective bargaining. The seminar stressed the link between recruiting and organising more women into unions, increasing their participation at all levels, and making equality a central trade union demand.
Participants also discussed FIET's procedures and policies on trade union education programs. Increasing trade union education is a must for greater women's participation in the labour movement. Women's participation in all labour education courses is necessary for advancing equality within the IRO- FIET region.
In working groups, participants drew attention to the difficulties women face. They noted that in the IRO- FIET region, where many occupational sectors are predominantly female, there is a" double discrimination," meaning inequality or discrimination exists between women within these female- dominated sectors. As a result some women are hit with double inequality. Unions must recognise this situation which leads to low wages, poor working conditions and lack of career opportunities and career structures for many women members in IRO- FIET.
The seminar, which was hosted by the Argentinean affiliates and sponsored by participating unions, was the first of its kind in IROFIET. It underscored the growing awareness within IRO- FIET affiliates about equality issues
and of the role that unions can play in achieving greater progress in this field.
January 1995: Mission
The FIET Secretary for Equal Rights, D. Catherine Sánchez met with Lourdes Orue Pozzo from FETRABAN, Paraguay, and several FIET affiliates, in Costa Rica on 4- 8 January 1995, during a fact- finding mission on equality issues in the IRO region. Regional Secretary Raul Requena and Education Co- ordinator Luis Malma organised several meetings for the new Secretary to familiarise herself with some of the main issues concerning working women in the region. gmi
WH H od as doua estsilifts -ilms motA medio? mort momow not tiziv, International Contacts 2013
Contact is consistently maintained with the ETUC and ICFTU Women's Committees, and the International Labour Organisation( ILO). Meetings are attended regularly and publications are monitored.
April 1991: 5th ICFTU Women's Conference
-
" Equality The Continuing Challenge: Strategies for Success" was the theme of the 5th ICFTU Women's Conference which took place 21-25 April 1991 in Ottawa, Canada. Three hundred women representatives from 71 ICFTU affiliates attended, including participants from Middle and Eastern Europe. In addition, fifteen ITS's were represented. Plenary and working group sessions dealt with the following issues: the empowerment of women, full participation in society, claiming a woman's" rightful place and worth", recognition of women's economic status, and full integration of women into trade unions. The Conference was hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress( CLC) and was addressed by the CLC President, Shirley Carr and Joyce Miller, member of the executive council of the American trade union centre, AFL- CIO.
16
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995

The Conference conclusions included the following statement:
" Women all over the world never asked for more than sharing the joys of life; women have never demanded more than equal rights- simply put: we want political, economic and social equality- we want bread and roses!"
FIET was represented at the Conference by Renate Csörgits from the Austrian affiliate GPA and by Ilona Schulz- Müller from the German affiliate DAG, both members of the FIET Working Women's Group.
October 1994: 6th ICFTU Women's Conference
On 25-28 October, over 300 women trade unionists from 62 countries gathered in The Hague, Netherlands to attend the 6th World Women's Conference organised by the Brussels- based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions with their affiliate, the FNV, the Dutch national trade union centre. The principal theme of the conference was:" Changing the World Through Equality". Delegates took part in working groups for three days to hammer out the strategies for putting theory into practice. FIET was represented at the Conference by Irene Sundelin, President of the Working Women's Group, Renate Csörgits from GPA Austria, Wanda Guimaraes, SBSI Portugal, Florence Daka from ZUFIAW Zambia, and the FIET Secretary D. Catherine Sánchez. A number of other representatives from FIET affiliates were also present.
October 1991: ETUC
-
The Secretary to the Working Women's Group took part in two meetings of the ETUC Women's Committee. The first, on 14 15 October 1991, looked at women's unemployment in the European Community and the second, on 3- 4 February 1992, at atypical( or non- standard) employment patterns and at developments with the European Community Directive on maternity protection.
FIET was represented by Wanda Guimaraes at an ETUC seminar on sexual harassment which took place in Holland from 15 to 17 December 1992. The seminar examined how unions should develop workplace guidelines on this issue.
September 1994: ETUC Women's Committee Meeting
The FIET Secretary attended the Women's Committee Meeting on 5- 6 September in Brussels, where the following items were discussed at length: E.U. Developments, Equal Treatment Between Women and Men in Social Security, ETUC Action Plan for Women, and Women and Health. The ETUC Women's Committee was reviewed in terms of activities, composition of the group and future initiatives.
January 1993: International Labour Organisation
In 1993 FIET was involved in discussions at the International Labour Organisation on new standards for part- time workers.
June 1994: International Labour Conference
The International Labour Conference adopted the Part- time work Convention( No. 175) and Recommendation( No. 182). The adoption of the Convention was a considerable success to FIET and its affiliates. With the support of affiliates, this matter was put on the agenda of the Labour Conference.
November 1994: ILO Tripartite Meeting
The FIET Secretary attended an ILO tripartite meeting of experts on" Social Security and Social Protection: Equality of Treatment Between Men and Women" which took place on 21-25 November 1994. The meeting adopted conclusions strongly reaffirming the principle of equality of treatment between men and women in social security.
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995
17

Global Equality Project 1995-1999
FIET has applied for a new 4- year project to further promote equality for women through labour education and through organised women structures in the AFRO, APRO, AND IRO FIET Regions. The application has been submitted to the Dutch national centre, FNV. The groundwork has already begun through fact finding meetings and research. Part of the groundwork has been complemented by the recently distributed questionnaire for FIET affiliates on participation of women in FIET trade unions.
1994 Year of the Family
1994 was the International Year of the Family and unions were active in urging governments to ratify ILO Convention 156 on harmonising family and work responsibilities for both men and women workers.
The World Executive Committee, at its meeting in Amsterdam in March 1994, was asked to endorse the action by the secretariat to encourage FIET affiliates to put pressure on governments to ratify ILO Convention 156.
somalio quodsk
asiqubu
to cou
18
FIET Women's Activity Report 1991- 1995