15 June, 2011In a national day of action and strike on June 14, unions and workers around Switzerland demanded equal pay for women and a minimum wage. Women in Switzerland earn on average 20 per cent less than men doing the same job.
SWITZERLAND: Thousands of workers around Switzerland participated in a day of action and a national strike on June 14 demanding equal rights for women workers. IMF affiliate UNIA played a leading role among the more than 45 organizations that held the event, also including IMF affiliate Syna.
The actions featured breakfasts, numerous workplace events and protests at public sites in major cities, culminating in collective whistle blowing and the release of thousands of purple balloons around the country at 14:06. In Geneva over 2,000 people gathered for a picnic of equality at midday, including representatives of the International Metalworkers' Federation. Later in the day, Geneva's water jet fountain, the jet d'eau, was coloured purpled as part of the action.
In Switzerland, women earn on average 19.8% less than men in performing the same job. Not only are women paid less than men in Switzerland, but they take on twice the amount of un-paid work, and face a much higher challenge than men to coordinate family and professional life.
The claims of the workers and UNIA are clear - equal wages must be secured. To achieve this, the union is demanding that companies systematically control wages and adapt the wages of women to ensure pay parity. In addition, UNIA is demanding a legal minimum wage be introduced in Switzerland. The precariousness of the work conditions of many women, in the retail sector in particular, but also in industry, is also a particular concern for the union.
"In this era, it is unacceptable for women to earn less than 20 per cent than men," said Corinne Schärer, UNIA secretary for equality, adding, "I find it shocking that women must often accept more precarious work conditions than men."
June 14 marks 30 years since equality of the sexes was enshrined in Swiss law, and 20 years since the first women's strike in the country.
For more details on the Swiss day of action for equality go to:
http://www.unia.ch/news_aktion_fr.9.0.html?&no_cache=1&L=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=6693&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=8a81a9d647