As part of the Erasmus+ project "Work at all Costs?", the issue of precarious employment conditions for women in Europe is being highlighted. A striking example is the story of Natalie from Aachen. The single mother juggles the challenges of her daily work routine: childcare, household chores, and the constant worry about her professional future. Her employer, a drugstore chain, wants to assign her more shifts during unsociable hours – a demand that is difficult for Natalie, working part-time at 85%, to reconcile with her child's care schedule. While these working conditions are not legally considered discrimination, Natalie is dependent on the job and finds herself in a desperate situation.
Natalie’s story is far from unique. Many women across Europe are in similarly precarious employment situations, as highlighted by the Erasmus+ project. Over the course of 30 months, trade unions and educational institutions in Lithuania, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, and Italy have documented the realities faced by these women, compiling their stories into a film, book, and educational videos. The film, now available on YouTube, aims to raise awareness of these issues.
Accompanying this, an event under the same title will take place on Wednesday, 2nd October, at the Nell-Breuning-Haus. Here, the key challenges facing educational institutions, trade unions, and European politics in the coming years will be discussed. Attendees can also take part in workshops on topics such as time, money, care, and recognition. Sabine Verheyen, Vice-President of the European Parliament, will deliver a keynote address on what a democratic Europe must achieve in this regard. Those interested can register by 23rd September via email at seminar@nbh.de.