Women’s vote is crucial in Luxembourg’s social elections One election year hides another, and 2024 is also going to be a big one for Luxembourg: the European elections in June will be preceded by the social elections in March 2024. The social elections, which take place every 5 years, are actually two elections. On the one hand, employees in companies with more than 15 people elect their staff delegation. Secondly, employees, apprentices and retirees elect their representatives to the Chamber of Employees (Chambre des Salariés, CSL). The social elections to the CSL are probably the most democratic elections in the country, as they bring together more than 600,000 members (residents and non-residents) who are called upon to vote by mail to elect their representatives to defend their interests and rights. For women in Luxembourg, voting in social elections is one of the most effective ways to make their voices heard and contribute to building a more inclusive society. The CSL defends social rights such as wage indexation, family allowances, the social minimum wage, parental leave allowances, pensions, etc., which have a major financial impact on the condition of working women, whether in terms of the fight against precariousness or in terms of gender equality, particularly in the sharing of domestic tasks. Indeed, voting in social elections is a way of defending women’s acquired rights, which have been hard-won over the decades but remain vulnerable. By voting for unions that are committed to preserving and expanding women’s acquired rights, for example, women can ensure an egalitarian society for future generations. Furthermore, women remain under-represented in staff delegations (about one-quarter women and three-quarters men) and in most committees and the CSL plenary assembly. At the last CSL elections, Nora Back was elected CSL President. She is the first woman to be elected president of a professional chamber in Luxembourg. For all these reasons and many more, every woman’s vote counts, because women play a key role in building a world where gender equality is the norm rather than the exception. To find out more about the social elections and how to vote, go to: www.elsoc.lu
Discrimination against women persists in the world of work The OGBL women’s department – OGBL Equality – member of the JIF platform, calls for participation in the feminist march on 8 March 2023 starting at 5pm on the Place Hamilius in Luxembourg city. OGBL Equality would like to remind in this context that the gender pay gap still persists in Luxembourg: on average, women earn 7.2% less per year than men. However, this figure does not reflect the whole reality, as it is based on full time equivalents. However, it should be noted that women work part-time 6 times more often than men (36% for women against 6% for men). The main reason given by women who work part-time is that they have family responsibilities. Women still take on twice as much unpaid work in the private sphere: cooking, cleaning, caring for children or other dependents, emotional work, etc. The most effective way to combat wage discrimination is through wage transparency, with wage scales that guarantee negotiated career development in the framework of collective bargaining agreements. OGBL Equality also notes that many women working part-time did not want to do so, but are forced to do so because they work in sectors such as trade or cleaning where full-time contracts are more rare. In these low-wage sectors, which are essential to the proper functioning of our society, women are clearly over-represented. Their work must be valued and recognized! It should also be stressed that the maintenance of the automatic system of wage indexation is all the more important to guarantee the maintenance of purchasing power, especially in these sectors. The high rate of part-time work as well as the frequent career interruptions among women also lead to a considerable gap with men in terms of pensions. In Luxembourg, this gap is the highest in the European Union, with women receiving on average 43% less. It should also be noted that the vast majority of parents in single-parent families are women. These families are fiscally disadvantaged, as our tax class system is more advantageous for married couples. It is high time for a reform of the tax classes and tax scales to reduce these families‘ risk for of falling below the poverty line. OGBL Equality demands a reduction in working time for equal pay in order to ensure a better balance between working and living time and thus allow families to better distribute the unpaid work which still today is largely on the shoulders of women. The reduction of working time would bring family, social, economic and political benefits. OGBL Equality also stands in solidarity with women fighting for their pensions in France. Women will indeed be particularly affected by the pension reform if it comes into force, as split careers are already pushing back the retirement age for many women. Finally, since 2022, OGBL Equality has been conducting a survey on violence against women and structural sexism in the workplace. A first survey among OGBL’s female members revealed unequivocal figures: 1 out of 2 women is a victim of sexism at work and 2 out of 3 victims do not inform their employer! Upcoming events – Feminist march organized by the JIF platform: March 8 at 5pm – Place Hamilius in Luxembourg-City – Screening of the film “Made in Dagenham” in French: March 9 at 7:30 pm – Maison du Peuple in Esch/Alzette Communicated by OGBL Equality, March 3, 2023
Let’s gather for the feminist march on March 8, 2023! Let’s come together for the feminist march on March 8, 2023, International Women’s*[1] Rights Day! Are you convinced of the need to lead the debate on equality and social justice in Luxembourg? Do you want to support the demands of the IWD platform and continue on the path towards gender equality in our society? Then let’s march together for a more inclusive and just society on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, starting at 17:00 at Place Hamilius, Luxembourg City! This march is a symbol of the union of all those who stand up for the rights and duties of citizens, regardless of sex or gender! The year 2023 is marked by a war on Europe’s doorstep, the social, economic and political consequences of a major health crisis in Luxembourg’s households, and a global climate crisis. On the occasion of March 8, 2023 – the international day of struggle for women’s rights – the feminist platform JIF would like to reiterate more than ever the need to include the question of gender and equality in all policies and social issues in Luxembourg. Even today, single mothers are the ones who bear the brunt of an exponentially increasing financial burden, a cost that is particularly high for the most disadvantaged social classes, thus increasing the risk of poverty. Of course, we’re also thinking of the health sector – all professions combined – whose difficult working conditions have been made visible by the pandemic. The fight for equality, and especially for women’s rights, is still not a foregone conclusion! On the contrary! The right to affordable housing, to a life free of violence, to fair working conditions and to a fair division of professional and care work are still essential facts to be promoted today and are linked to the gender issue! In this context, the JIF platform stresses the importance of continuing to include gender and equality issues in all political, economic and social debates, so that political bodies and social actors can understand and take concrete, realistic and appropriate action in Luxembourg. In this context, the main demands of the JIF platform are still valid and therefore the JIF platform is all the more assertive: A roof over one’s head: JIF demands the fundamental right to housing, both in law and in practice. This implies several actions in the immediate and medium term towards people from different social constellations – for example, by increasing the capacity to accommodate victims of domestic violence, homeless people or even women with special needs, or by guaranteeing a constitutional right to affordable and decent housing. A life free from violence: Despite the first internationally binding convention signed on July 3, 2018,[2] which covers all forms of violence against women and girls thanks to its integrated, multidisciplinary approach and gender perspective, significant efforts are still needed in everyday life in Luxembourg. Among the demands of the JIF platform, it is essential to support civil society actors in their work to raise awareness and prevent all forms of violence against women and girls. Opening up the debate, breaking down stereotypes and giving a voice to all those concerned, interested and affected by the issue of violence (in whatever form it takes) is an essential task for those working in the field as well as for political institutions. Money to live on: Despite the apparent narrowing of the gender pay gap in Luxembourg, the reality is that women still earn less than men. Currently, it’s mostly women who have part-time or reduced work contracts, which reduces their purchasing power both as workers and as retirees. More equality in our families: The change of the parental models must allow all parents to accompany the first years of a child’s life with serenity and financial stability. For the JIF platform, the creation of a three-month maternity leave, with full pay, would enable all households to guarantee the calm and secure care of each child. In order to continue the global struggle for women’s rights, the JIF Feminist Platform calls on everyone to join the Feminist March in Luxembourg. The driving force behind this feminist march is tolerance and noise! Bring your pots, drums or other musical instruments and wear purple accessories so that everyone on the street can hear our demands and our movement on International Women’s Rights Day. Press Release February 23, 2023 The Feminist March is an initiative of the JIF Feminist Platform. Signatory members: ASTI, Centre LGBTIQ+ CIGALE, CID | Fraen an Gender, Conseil National des Femmes du Luxembourg CNFL, déi greng, déi jonk gréng, déi Lénk, Femmes en détresse, Femmes socialistes, OGBL Equality, Planning Familial, Sweet Josephine Supporting signatories: Centre for Ecological Learning CELL, Rosa Lëtzebuerg [1] * symbol “*” which includes anyone who does not identify with either the feminine or masculine gender. [2] On July 3, 2018, the Chamber of Deputies passed the draft law approving the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and girls and domestic violence.
Minister of Equality sweeps aside the tripartite model OGBL strongly opposes the exclusion of the social partners from the new High Council for Equality which is supposed to replace the Women’s Labor Committee (Comité du Travail Féminin – CTF). While the OGBL Equality expressly supports the initiative for a broadening of competences and the establishment of a dynamic equality body, it is forced to disagree with the composition of this new body, which sweeps away the tripartite model. Indeed, according to the draft Grand-Ducal regulation, the new High Council for Equality would be composed of 5 members appointed by the Minister, one representative of the National Council for Women and two representatives from civil society, without specifying which organizations would be eligible for these two positions. Designation criteria seem to be left largely to the discretion of the Minister of Equality between Women and Men. Nor are the social partners represented on the Equality Observatory Support Committee, which will also be implemented. Previously, the Women’s Committee had a tripartite composition, in accordance with the Luxembourg model of social dialogue. Thus, four places were allocated to the most representative trade union organizations at the national level. Unfortunately, the guarantee of trade union representation is no longer given. While the OGBL welcomes a broadening of the scope of the new Council, it is unacceptable to exclude the trade unions, which are major and indispensable players. A special responsibility must be placed on the social partners to ensure that gender equality policies are successful and translated into reality. Trade unions are the legitimate representatives of employees of all genders and nationalities and defend their interests in the world of work and in all social and societal issues in the broadest sense. They have always played an important role in the promotion of gender equality. Their presence must be guaranteed by a legal basis. Therefore, OGBL Equality categorically opposes the planned composition of the High Council for Equality and asks the Minister to make the necessary changes. Press release by OGBL Equality, 7 February 2023
J’peux pas, j’ai grève ! Plus de 3000 participant.e.s à la 3e Grève nationale des Femmes* La troisième Grève nationale des Femmes* au Luxembourg a eu lieu le 8 mars 2022 à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des droits des femmes. La Plateforme JIF avait appelé toutes les femmes* à faire grève ce 8 mars contre le travail des soins non rémunéré à domicile, à faire grève au moins symboliquement sur le lieu de travail rémunéré (par exemple avec des pauses prolongées) et à manifester pour l’égalité des sexes. À côté des actions symboliques, comme le fait d’avoir activement décidé de ne pas s’adonner aux tâches ménagères ou d’actions organisées sur les lieux de travail, l’événement principal de la journée a sans aucun doute été la manifestation qui s’est tenue de la Place de la Gare à la Place d’Armes. Avec un temps radieux, plus de 3000 personnes ont rejoint la marche de la manifestation ! Un signe massif de solidarité et d’engagement politique des citoyen.ne.s lors de la deuxième Grève nationale des Femmes* ! L’ambiance était excellente et les règles de sécurité ont été respectées par tout le monde. La manifestation a été menée par une banderole «Feminists Against the War» — une revendication féministe de la première heure — suivi du bloc «Pink Ladies – Queer Women Luxembourg». Sur le chemin, le cortège de protestation est passé devant le ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de l’Economie sociale et solidaire, où le ministre Georges Engel s’est montré solidaire en brandissant un drapeau violet de la JIF par la fenêtre de son cabinet ministériel. Arrivée devant le kiosque de la Place d’Armes, des discours émouvants, dont un discours sur la situation actuelle en Ukraine, ont été tenus par les représentantes de la Plateforme JIF. La troisième Grève des Femmes* au Luxembourg a été un grand succès. Mais il n’y a aucune raison de se reposer. Désormais, le travail autour des revendications politiques ne fait que commencer. Le premier point à l’ordre du jour après la grève sera une entrevue prévue avec le ministre du Travail Georges Engel et la ministre de l’Egalité entre femmes et hommes, Taina Bofferding. De plus amples informations suivront bientôt. Dans ce cadre, la Plateforme JIF profite de l’occasion pour remercier les journalistes et les représentant.e.s de la presse pour la couverture accordée au cours des dernières semaines et surtout le jour même de la Journée Internationale des Femmes. Un grand merci également aux nombreuses organisations comme Greenpeace Luxembourg, Amnesty international Luxembourg, etc. qui ont manifesté leur solidarité avec la JIF dans les médias sociaux ces derniers jours. Communiqué par la Plateforme JIF, le 9 mars 2020 Membres de la Plateforme JIF: ASTI, Centre LGBTIQ+ CIGALE, CID | Fraen an Gender, Conseil National des Femmes du Luxembourg, CSF, déi gréng, déi jonk gréng, déi Lénk, Femmes en détresse, Femmes socialistes, Finkapé – Réseau Afrodescendant Luxembourg, OGBL Equality, Pink Ladies – Queer Women Luxembourg, Planning Familial, Time for Equality et des personnes privées engagées. Grève des Femmes – 8 mars 2022 – OGBL Equality (Lu/Fr) Grève des Femmes – 8 mars 2022 – OGBL Equality ▶ Pour une véritable égalité salariale, pour une véritable réduction du temps de travail, pour une véritable lutte contre la violence faite aux femmes* et la violence de genre, pour un véritable droit au logement pour toustes, pour un meilleur congé de parentalité véritablement égalitaire, manifestons ensemble ! Intervenants: ▶ Ana Correia Da Veiga, Gemengeconseillère Stad Lëtzebuerg ▶ Line Wies, Plattform JIF ▶ Milena Steinmetzer, OGBL Equality/Plattform JIF ▶ Jessica Lopes, Plattform JIF ▶ Yasmine Chlouti & Charles Vincent, Plattform JIF
Mesurer les inégalités pour y remédier Une délégation de l’OGBL Equality a rencontré le 23 février 2022 la ministre de l’Egalité entre les femmes et les hommes, Taina Bofferding. En amont de la Journée internationale des droits des femmes, le 8 mars, l’accent a été mis sur le besoin d’une société égalitaire qui devrait faire fi de toutes formes de discriminations liées au sexe et au genre et ainsi améliorer les vies de toutes les personnes. Au cours de cette entrevue, le département des femmes de l’OGBL a notamment présenté et expliqué les résultats d’un sondage réalisé sur le vécu des femmes au travail en matière de harcèlement et de sexisme structurel, qui seront également présentés à la presse le 1er mars 2022. Les représentantes de l’OGBL ont en outre mis en évidence la nécessité de la sensibilisation, de la formation en entreprise, mais aussi de la mise en place d’actions et de l’implication des délégations du personnel. L’intérêt de recueillir et d’analyser des statistiques, afin de mieux mesurer les inégalités existantes et ainsi pouvoir y remédier de façon efficace, a été souligné de part et d’autre. Enfin, la ministre a exposé le concept et les missions de l’Observatoire de l’Egalité qui a pour vocation de collecter et de traiter les données relatives à l’égalité entre femmes et hommes, ce qui revêt une importance cruciale pour développer des actions ciblées. Communiqué par l’OGBL Equality le 25 février 2022