Brussels Press Conference: Launch of the Decent Work, Decent Life for Women Campaign

Hosted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
On Friday 7th March, 10-12 am
At the Résidence Palace, Passage room


The IFJ and ITUC will host a discussion and press conference on women fighting for decent work around the world.

Today, women form 40% of total world employment. The basis for launching this two-year Decent Work, Decent Life for Women World Campaign is rooted in the multiple discriminatory policies and practices that confront women workers who: 

  •  still earn 12 to 60% less than what their male co-workers earn, even in occupations such as nursing and teaching; 
  •  account for an increasing proportion (60%) of the world’s poor and working poor; 
  •  face higher unemployment rates than 10 years ago 
  •  are concentrated in low-paid, unprotected, temporary or casual work; 
  •  lack maternity protection rights and face violence and sexual harassment in or near the workplace.

    As part of the launch the ITUC will release a report on the Gender Pay Gaphttp://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/gap-1.pdf detailing wage disparities in 62 countries around the world.

    Women trade unionists from 53 countries around the world, including in Belgium, are taking part in the launch of this two-year Campaign on 7th March.

    Panelists
    Guy Ryder, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
    Pamela Morinière, Gender Programme Officer, International/European Federation of Journalists
    Rudy De Leeuw, Président, Fédération Generale des Travailleurs de Belgique, Algemeen Belgische vakverbond (FGTB-ABVV)
    Anne Demelenne, General Secretary, FGTB-ABVV.
    Luc Cortebeeck, President, Confédération des syndicats chrétiens de Belgique, (CSC)
    Ann Van Laer, National Secretary, CSC

    Address : Résidence Palace, rue de la loi 155, 1040 Brussels
    RSVP/media queries : Mathieu Debroux, ITUC: 02 22 40 204 Pamela Morinière, IFJ : 02 235 22 16