Read this article in:
English
6 July, 2016Women trade union leaders in Malaysia vowed to push for 40 per cent women representation in IndustriALL statutes ahead of the world Congress in Rio in October 2016.
Thirty-one women leaders from the IndustriALL Malyasian Council and its women’s committee gathered in Shah Alam on 27 June as a follow up to the leadership training they received the previous month.
The women reviewed the action plans they made there on issues including maternity protection and achieving gender equality in union structures. Participants resolved to support and advocate improved maternity protection through integration in collective agreements.
They also agreed to launch a campaign to ratify ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Protection in different states in Malaysia starting in Penang in August, in collaboration with the Malaysian trade union confederation, MTUC.
IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Monika Kemperle, gave a briefing on Industry 4.0 and digitalization and its impact on workers, particularly women. Kemperle asked participants to come up with alternative strategies to counter the negative effect of digitalization to workers. She added that unionization and capacity building should be continued, particularly of women.
Kemperle also explained the concepts of either a 40 per cent binding quota in IndustriALL’s statutes or a target of 40 per cent. She presented the consequences should the quota in either form be approved by the upcoming world congress.
Together with other affiliates in the Asia-Pacific region, the Malaysia women’s committee vowed to push for changes in IndustriALL Statutes to include a 40 per cent quota, and that equality between men and women should be recognized.