News

Survey and seminar to improve representation of P&M women in Europe



UNI P&M is encouraging affiliates to get involved in a gender equality initiative that is being developed by EUROCADRES, the social dialogue network for Professionals and Managers in Europe, of which UNI is a founding member.



The project, which is entitled ‘Improving the representation of self-employed women with professional and managerial tasks’, is supported by EUROCADRES’ European network for women in managerial positions called FEMANET. It focuses on identifying the differences between of working conditions, positions and needs of male and female self-employed workers, and how trade unions can better support this group of workers.



An integral part of the research project is to look at how trade unions can better respond to the needs of self-employed professional and managerial women, with a view to ensuring gender equality. P&M women members are especially encouraged to participate in this EUROCADRES’ project which will be an opportunity for unions involved to raise their profile and demonstrate their commitment to UNI’s successful ‘40 for 40’ campaign which strives to bolster the opportunities for women to contribute to every layer of organisational policy and decision making processes. A detailed summary of the project is attached.



UNI’s gender equality policy is an integral part of its framework of assistance to its affiliates. Through UNI’s trade union development projects it is ensuring that concrete steps are being taken by affiliates to increase the involvement and representation of women in their activities and across union structures, as well as integrating a gender perspective into all aspects of affiliates’ union policies.



How you can contribute

1) Complete and return the attached questionnaire OR

2) Participate in a telephone interview with one of the two project experts (Karima Zahi and Richard Polacek) OR

3) Submit the contact details of the trade union representative responsible for self-employment and associations for self-employed workers active in your country (e.g. those co-operating with trade unions on this issue): their name, the organisation’s name, the sector in which they operate, telephone number and email OR

4) Participate in a Focus Group meeting at EUROCADRES’ office in Brussels on 22 June. Please note that travel and accommodation costs will not be reimbursed, some snacks will be provided.



How to send in your response

1) Please return the completed questionnaire OR

2) Confirm your participation for an interview OR

3) Confirm your participation in the Focus Group meeting OR

4) Share your contact details of trade union representatives/associations for self-employed workers by email to: Karima Zahi: k.zahi@profirmus.eu or Richard Polacek: richard.polacek@yahoo.fr



For more information or to register for the focus group meeting please email Agnieszka Golas at: agnieszka.golas@eurocadres.org



For further information about UNI’s 40 for 40 campaign please visit: http://www.uniglobalunion.org/website/40for40.nsf/1/home&lang=en