The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) welcomes key wins for working people in the agreed conclusions of the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW68), 11-22 March.
The event was an unparalleled opportunity for trade unions to advocate for their priorities for gender equality and workplace democracy, engage in meaningful dialogues with global leaders and forge networks with women’s groups.
Key achievements include:
- The recognition of statutory or negotiated minimum wages as essential for combating poverty among women.
- The call for equal pay for work of equal value and for the transition from informal to formal work and universal social protection policies.
- The affirmation of the importance of workplace democracy for achieving gender equality through the right to organise and bargain collectively, highlighting its role in eradicating women’s economic disadvantages.
- The push for increased public investment in the care economy, social infrastructure, including universal social services and support based on equality and non-discrimination, to address the problem of unpaid care work and promotes decent work for women.
Despite these wins, ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle noted: “While we celebrate the progress, we remain vigilant in addressing the gaps.
“Working people want more emphasis on workplace democracy through collective bargaining and social dialogue, and stronger language on gender-transformative taxation and financing, on the recognition of multiple and intersecting identities and on ILO C190 for the eradication of gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work”.
“The ITUC, as the global voice for workers, is committed to advocating for these issues, aiming for a more inclusive, fair, democratic and equal workplace for women worldwide.”
Around 4,800 representatives from civil society organisations participated at the UNCSW68, the second-highest attendance in the event’s history, which focused on the economic empowerment of women and gender equality in the workplace.
