A seminar on “Equal pay for equal work! Between high approval and poor implementation. The role of workers' organisations in shaping a challenging process of socio-political change” was held in Munich on 19-21 September 2024, organised by the ECWM - EBCA - MTCE (European Christian Workers Movement) in cooperation with EZA and funded by the European Union.
43 representatives of workers' organisations from Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal and as guests from Switzerland and Rwanda either attended or worked on the seminar.
The seminar focused on a discussion on the gender pay gap, its immediate and profound cultural causes, and some potential options for action that participants could implement to attempt to close it. The framework was structured so that the expertise of the participants, all of whom are active in employee organisations on a voluntary or full-time basis, could be engaged in effective discussions on specific issues. Ms. Heike Lehmann (DGB - Germany) also gave a lecture and the following participants engaged in a round table discussion: Maite Valdivieso (Director of the Secretariat for Workers' Pastoral Care in the Diocese of Bilbao, Spain), Renate Gebhard (Member of Parliament of the South Tyrolean People's Party, Italy) and Inès Minin (General Director of CCFD-Terre solidaire, France).
An extensive data analysis had been carried out before the event in the form of a survey in the participating countries: Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. The analysis was summarised in an introductory presentation by Stefan B. Eirich (KAB-Germany) and an initial group discussion explored this topic in more depth. The analysis highlighted similarities and differences between the countries and even some internal national differences (e.g. old and new federal states in Germany). The aim was to make a clearer distinction between the country-specific and the general reasons, but without claiming to achieve total clarity on the matter. The presentation by the DGB equal opportunities officer, Heike Lehmann, not only focused on a well-researched analysis of the situation in Germany, but also on the practical scope of trade union action and the opportunities and limitations of legal safeguards when attempting to close the gender pay gap. A major starting point was the structural visibility of care work and the need for a reassessment of paid care and social work. The working group subsequently considered the potential practical measures that could be implemented to close the gender pay gap.
Meetings were held in three institutions to engage in specific discussions on the topic. The visits to the DGB in Munich, the works councils at Siemens and the KAB diocesan association focused on “Educators – SOS Kita” provided some practical insights and a positive basis for considerations and served to create a network of solidarity.
The round table discussion with Renate Gebhard, Italian Member of Parliament for South Tyrol, Inès Minin from CCFD-Terre solidaire (via Zoom from Paris) and Maite Valdivieso from the Workers' Pastoral Care in Bilbao highlighted the real progress achieved in recent decades and the current challenges inherent in the firm commitment to the equality of women in our societies. Practical approaches were also presented that could inspire action and promote the visibility of women's work and expertise. The third exchange in the groups was held immediately after the round table and discussed practical starting points for individual and collective action so that the participants can acquire more knowledge and act both independently and as a community. The results of the group work were gathered along with the suggestions from the presentations and the round table discussions, and were incorporated into the final statement, which can be found below.
The seminar highlighted both general cultural reasons for the gender pay gap and specific aspects of labour law. It offered the opportunity for an in-depth analysis, the chance to recognise essential connections and to also find practical starting points for the individual’s own use. We assume that the positive exchanges during the seminar will result in several such initiatives in various countries.
Final statement
Implementation
As leaders of Christian workers' movements from Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, South Tyrol and Lithuania, we have come together to reflect on the situation of women in the world of work and in our societies and to derive some shared conclusions to consolidate our commitment.
We have noted that:
The gender pay gap remains scandalously high at up to 20% and does not appear to be closing to any noticeable degree. This margin is significantly lower in the public sector.
Although women and girls frequently achieve better results in our schools and training systems, they are under-represented in top jobs and leadership positions in all countries. In some countries, young women are disproportionately affected by the high levels of youth unemployment.
In all countries, women carry out a high proportion of unpaid domestic care work (housekeeping, raising children, caring for the elderly); up to 85%. As a result, women have reduced availability and therefore tend to be extensively employed in part-time work, precarious and/or temporary employment and mini-jobs.
Women are totally over-represented across the entire spectrum of care professions and in the education sector in all countries, with a share of up to 80%. Professions in which women predominantly work are still jobs with significantly lower pay and status.
Women suffer a loss of income opportunities, as social security is linked to paid employment. Poverty in old age is a bitter reality for many women.
The rise of right-wing and right-wing extremist parties is generating a new anti-feminism that is threatening women's rights. One associated problem is disrespect for women on religious grounds.
In many countries in Africa, women are the primary breadwinners in their families and are most affected by and at risk from climate disasters.
As EBCA, we are committed to a society in which everyone can enjoy a decent standard of living in the spirit of Catholic social teaching. People must be at the centre of the economy and be able to shape their lives freely and with social independence.
We are firm advocates for the personal dignity of all working people, worldwide, regardless of their gender, origin, mother tongue or ethnicity.
We stand in solidarity with working people, and in particular with those engaged in care work or who are employed in the informal sector.
We are therefore committed to measures to achieve comprehensive equality for women in all countries and societies. This applies to the state and private sector and the Catholic Church.
We are committed to raising general awareness of this issue in our personal activities in unions, associations and in our movements, and to promoting the following issues:
The obligation of companies to pay equal pay for equal work.
No part-time workers should experience discrimination based on this fact.
We appeal to companies to organise working hours and working conditions so that men and women are able to achieve a work-life balance.
There is a need for security to ensure a decent living in old age, regardless of income and employment history.
Care work must be shared fairly between men and women.
We are calling for a general reduction in working hours for everyone with appropriate wage compensation to have time to engage in all aspects of life; notably family obligations, cultural participation and charitable activities.
There is a need to legalise the residence status of those working in the ‘shadow economy’. Migrants in particular should receive adequate pay from employment that is subject to social insurance contributions. We are demanding compulsory social insurance from the first hour of work.
All trade unions must provide consistent solidarity and support for the concerns of employees in the care and nursing professions.
We demand a clear position from all the actors in the political sphere and the church against the emerging anti-feminism.
Women in countries in the south require comprehensive support in terms of general education programmes and as stakeholders in the fight against climate change and the destruction of nature, as a solid basis for securing their livelihoods.
We must make the invisible visible. Let us not lose our ability to dream of a world in which all people - children, women and men - are valued and recognised. Let our commitment help us help build the Kingdom of God. Our actions can make this a reality.