GPA-djp on International women’s day: trade unions fight for income justice and equality

Women need concrete actions instead of broken promises

Vienna (OTS) – on the Occasion of the International women’s day, the Federal Chairman of the Union of private employees, print, journalism and paper (GPA-djp) Ilse Fetik balance sheet: „In the last few years, significant steps towards reducing the disparities in Income could be achieved. Current calculations show that the difference of pay between the sexes, with 19.9 percent, significantly lower than in the previous year, with 21.7 percent. This is still above the EU average of 16%, but shows that our success in the KV-cast negotiations.“ ++++

„Our efforts to achieve equal pay for equal work, to show the effect. The now largely implemented the introduction of collective contractual wage or salary of 1500 euros and which is already in many areas of negotiated 1700 euros, the income of women lift. We will not let up until we have achieved real equality,“ said Fetik.

A recent study shows that women after the birth of a child, over a period of 10 years, 51% less income than before the birth of a child. The main reason for this is that women work after the birth usually only in part-time or not at all in the labour market. In order to combat this abuse, the nationwide Expansion of high-quality and all-day children’s education facilities as a priority. Fetik: „We are calling for a legal right to a childcare place.“

Also the crediting of waiting periods is essential in order to compensate for disadvantages. In many collective agreements, the recognition of parental leave periods could be anchored on a service-dependent claims such as Vorrückungen, holiday entitlement, period of notice and continuation of payment in case of illness, as well as Anniversary bonuses. Thanks to the bargaining power of unions be a baby waiting not lead to financial disadvantages for parents, especially for women.

Barbara driver, Federal Chairman of the GPA-djp underlines in this connection: „The Federal government has promised legal recognition of the waiting times though. Just like the promise of the father’s month to introduce, but was also broken this. This scheme would help, especially in industries in which, due to the strong opposition from the employer stating the leave credit was previously impossible.“

„In particular, women in the labour market, earn more respect, instead of empty promises. We expect the Federal government on concrete measures to improve the Situation of workers,“ said Fetik, and driver finally

GPA-djp public Relations
Daniel Gürtler
Tel.: 050301-21 225
Mobile: 0676/817111-225
Mail: daniel.guertler@gpa-djp.at