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The 2019 women’s strike was huge: half a million women took to the streets demanding social and financial improvements. Trade unions and feminists are now calling for a major women’s strike on June 14. “This new women’s strike is badly needed,” says Unia chairman Vania Alleva (54). “Because while women’s position in society has improved, it’s still a mess in many areas.”
On June 14, for example, there is a protest against wage discrimination, which still creates a gap between the sexes. This is also apparent from a new analysis by the Swiss Confederation of Trade Unions (SGB) on women’s wages, with which it is preparing the plea for the women’s strike. Three key points from the paper presented on Tuesday:
1
Women’s jobs are paid less
Half of the women earn – with twelve monthly wages – less than 4500 francs per month. A quarter even earn 2,700 francs or less. One reason for this is that women more often work part-time than men. But that is not the only reason, because the hourly wages of women are also much lower. According to the SGB, more than 500,000 women in Switzerland live on less than 4,500 francs, even though they work full-time.
“Professions in which a large majority of women work – the so-called ‘women’s jobs’ – are paid less,” the analysis note states. Examples are care professions with children or the elderly. An internship in “women’s jobs” pays less. The trade union federation also speaks of “structural discrimination”.
Men are clearly ahead of the ten percent of the highest earners. Based on 13 monthly wages, every tenth man earns more than 12,000 francs, but every tenth woman only earns more than 8,000 francs.
2
Women are less likely to have a 13th monthly wage
The 13th monthly salary has become indispensable for most employees. More than four out of five employees receive an extra salary every month. However, this impulse is often lacking, especially in the low-wage sectors. Women therefore do not earn a 13th monthly wage much more often than men.
“Hairdressers and beauticians can only dream of an extra monthly salary at the end of the year,” says the analysis newspaper. And, “Even in parts of the retail industry, such as clothing and shoe stores, the 13th is anything but normal.”
3
Experience and seniority count less
Not only with regard to the 13th monthly salary, it is mainly women who are left out in the cold. Wage development is also meagre. “Wage allowances for experience and seniority are lower for women than for men,” the analysis said.
Wage development is particularly worse in the “women’s sectors”. According to the SGB analysis, things are particularly bad in the hospitality industry: “Here, women’s experience seems to be worth nothing to employers,” the statement said. “Women in their early 50s earn, on average, as much as their peers in their early 20s.”
The conclusion
“Many women have a wage that is barely enough to live on, even if they have completed an internship,” concludes the SGB newspaper. Because: “The development opportunities for wages are too small.” With negative effects on work resumption or retention – for example in the case of maternity or other care obligations.
“In addition to the structurally lower wages in sectors with a majority of women, it is striking that the professional and life experience of women is systematically less valuable,” criticizes vpod secretary-general Natascha Wey (41). Paid work is now normal – even for women with children. “The big problem that women face today is that they have a double or triple burden and that despite having a job, they have much less money in their account.”
The trade union federation is now demanding a minimum wage of CHF 5,000 for apprentices and a minimum wage of CHF 4,500 for unskilled workers. Also a 13th monthly salary for everyone. In addition, equal pay and the increase of women’s wages should be the subject of all negotiations between the social partners.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
