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We, in the Trade Union Confederation (LO) coordination, believe that women deserve the same wages increases as men. Therefore, we stand behind Handels’ (Commercial Workers' union) demands for wage increases and more employment security in this year's negotiation round.

Handel’s demands are reasonable. Their claims correspond to what it takes to prevent that women in commerce sector will continue to fall behind compared to the male-dominated professions.

The pay difference between male-dominated professions and female-dominated professions, such as shop assistants, child care assistants and restaurant assistants, is just over SEK 3800 per month if you work full time. More women also work part time. The employers' message is that women should receive the same wage increase in percentage as other LO categories have received so far in this year's negotiation round. Such an agreement would mean that the commerce sector and other female-dominated industries would not receive the same wages increases as other workers.

A shop assistant earns on average SEK 21 300 per month. With the same increase in percentage, she would get 220 less in wages compared to what workers in male-dominated LO professions already have received. This means that the wage gap between men and women will further increase.

To this must be added that further salary increases are often negotiated through so-called wage drift, in connection with local negotiations for male-dominated industries. To us increased income gap between men and women is unacceptable. We will continue to adjust this inequity. Therefore, we cannot accept that all groups are given pay increases through a flat percentage. Instead, we must calculate how big the increase is in cash.

The employers argue that the LO coordinated claims would threaten the economy. But on the contrary our claims to adjust the unfair pay gap would benefit the national economy. In this way, the demands for goods and services would increase, providing a necessary incentive to the entire economy. The wage share of the groups that now take the battle for equal pay corresponds to less than 20 percent of the total wages in Sweden and we are talking mainly about low paid workers.

The LO coordination’s claims, which Handels now has given strike notice to get through, will not solve all the problems with gender inequality that exist on the Swedish labour market. But it is a necessary step to prevent further pay differences. It would also give the Swedish economy a necessary incentive. To reduce disparities, we will continue to claim somewhat higher wage increases for women and those on the lowest wages. It will not jeopardise the Swedish economy, but it will create a more equal labour market and a more equal Sweden.

The aim that Handels, supported by the LO unions, is fighting for is shared by a majority of the population. Our hope is that the employers also soon realize the legitimacy of our demands and that it would contribute to greater equality.