Posted: Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Trade Unions Taking the Lead for Economic and Social Justice and Equality

Led by CLC Executive Vice-President Barbara Byers, a nine-member delegation of trade union women from Canada participated in the first International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) World Women’s Conference October 19-21 in Brussels, Belgium.

The global economic crisis is hitting women hard. Over 450 delegates from around the world tackled strategies to deal with women’s social and economic inequality. The growth in precarious work began long before the global economic crisis and women dominate the international migration of care service workers – from skilled health workers to domestic workers. New protections are needed and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will be leading a discussion on a new ILO Convention to safeguard the human and trade union rights of domestic workers around the world.

Photo (left to right): Julie White, CAW; Patty Clancy, COPE; Maureen Morrison, CUPE; Barbara Byers, CLC; Erin Harrison, CLC Youth Rep.; Louise Mercier, FTQ; Maureen Prebinski, CLC; Janice Platzke, SEIU; Sharleen Stewart, SEIU.

ITUC Report Gender (in)equality in the labour market: an overview of global trends and developments

ITUC Report – A Recipe for Hunger: How the World is Failing on Food