1

ETUCO / EFFAT SeminarEWCs and gender equality in the context of

enlargement Bratislava, 9-11 January 2004

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

Information - Training - Involvement

2

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

European Works Councils can be one tool for trade unions to achieve objectives on gender equality

• Equal representation:the composition of the EWC should reflect the proportion of gender within the workforce of the respective TNC

• Equal opportunities:contribute to the improvement of the situation of female workers by taking up gender equality issues in the EWC

ETUCO / EFFAT Seminar, Bratislava, 11 January 2004

3

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

1. Measures to increase the participation of women in EWCs

Tasks of national trade unions:

• attract and retain women as trade union members

• undertake targeted measures to encourage women to assume responsibilities as workers’ reps through, e.g. training, way of organising meetings, etc.

• lay down principles/rules on women’s representation, e.g. in constitution, programmes, collective agreements

• encourage women to participate in international meetings

• nominate female representatives to SNBs and EWCs

ETUCO / EFFAT Seminar, Bratislava, 11 January 2004

4

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

1. Measures to increase the participation of women in EWCs

Tasks of EFFAT:

• remind member organisations to nominate more women to SNBs and EWCs

• monitor composition of SNBs and EWCs

ETUCO / EFFAT Seminar, Bratislava, 11 January 2004

5

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

2. Measures to put gender equality issues on the agenda of EWCs

Tasks of national trade unions:

• define a strategy to foster gender equality, with short and longterm objectives, a timetable and a monitoring mechanism for implementation

• train all workers’ representatives on gender equality issues

• sensitise national EWC members to gender equality issues

• strive for legislation or provisions in collective agreements that oblige companies to cooperate with workers’ reps/trade unions on the promotion of gender equality, e.g. FIN, S

ETUCO / EFFAT Seminar, Bratislava, 11 January 2004

6

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

2. Measures to put gender equality issues on the agenda of EWCs

Tasks of EFFAT (1):

• consideration of gender equality aspects in guidelines, policy papers etc. on EWCs

• raise gender equality aspects already in negotiations of EWC agreements, e.g. as item the EWC has to be informed and consulted about, with regard to composition of EWC, training, etc.

• sensitise EWC Coordinators and SNB/EWC members for gender equality issues

ETUCO / EFFAT Seminar, Bratislava, 11 January 2004

7

Promoting gender equality in EWCsDraft action plan

2. Measures to put gender equality issues on the agenda of EWCs

Tasks of EFFAT (2):

• draw the attention to gender equality in case of restructuring, e.g. impact on female workforce, social plan

• collect and disseminate information on good practices in EWCs, e.g. working groups on gender equality, collection of information on situation of female workers, social balance sheets, etc.

ETUCO / EFFAT Seminar, Bratislava, 11 January 2004