News

Deutsche Telekom announced on 15 March that the company would introduce a quota stipulating that 30% of the company's upper and middle management positions should be held by women by 2015. The quota will apply worldwide.



In 2008, a meager 13% of such positions were occupied by women.



The company's human resources director, Thomas Sattelberger, stated that the company's "efforts over the years for the advancement of women were genuine and well-intended, but success remained limited as in all major companies."



Trade unions play an essential role in promoting equal opportunities in the workplace and UNI welcomes Deutsche Telekom's attempts to ensure that its senior decision makers represent its workforce appropriately. However, the imposition of a quota will not be enough to ensure genuine and effective realisation of equality of opportunity for Deutsche Telekom workers.



The comprehensive recognition of trade union rights is essential to the achievement of this goal. Where workers are able to collectively bargain and stand on an equal footing with their employer, through their union, they are empowered to demand the implementation of appropriate work-life balance policies, parental leave and other policies which will enable all workers to access opportunities. The success of such policies can only be maximised when employees have input and a valued voice in the workplace.



The company's first step in promoting equal opportunities should be to ensure effective freedom of association for all of its employees by signing a global agreement with UNI.