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Working Women's Charter

Not Only Equality - But Quality Too!

New Working Women's Charter of Rights in the 21st Century

In 2001, SIPTU drew up a Working Women’s Charter which looked ‘beyond equality’ to a better quality of life, both inside and outside every workplace, for every worker, irrespective of age, sex, race, religion, disability or other personal characteristics:

*  Equal enjoyment of fundamental social, economic and human rights by everyone – irrespective of age, disability, ethnic origin, race or religion; sex, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, or political opinion; membership of the traveller community or of a trade union.

*  These fundamental rights to include equal access to basic necessities such as housing, healthcare and education at all levels;  equal  access to all forms of employment; positive action to facilitate equal labour market participation by under-represented groups; paid educational leave for workers, more in-service training and a national system of life-long learning accessible to all.

*  Equal (gross) pay and a higher National Minimum Wage; no discrimination in relation to fringe benefits and other conditions of employment.

*  Equal take-home pay and a guaranteed individual minimum income for all citizens, whether at work, at  home or in retirement, through a fairer and more integrated system of taxes and transfers, geared to improving the position of lower-paid  workers and others on low incomes. 

*  The right to work – in conditions that are conducive to achieving an appropriate work-life balance at all stages  of the life-cycle, including flexible working hours and a standard 30-hour week for all. 

*  The right to work – in a safe and healthy working environment free from all forms of physical and psychological hazard including stress, bullying, intimidation and harassment; with the provision of childcare and other ‘family-friendly’ facilities; the lengthening of paid maternity leave; and the introduction of paid paternity and parental leave.

*  The right to stop work - temporarily – to have children and/or care for dependants, or for other reasons – without loss of an independent income or social insurance and pension rights; and full legislative protection for all non-full-time workers with regard to holidays, leave, PRSI, pensions etc.

*  The right to stop work - permanently – and to retire on an individual income capable of ensuring dignity, self-sufficiency and independence in old age; and the facility to finance this, with Exchequer and/or employer support, from an early age to ensure adequacy.

*  A modernised system of social protection that supports all citizens, whether on a short-term or long-term basis, in a manner which both guarantees income adequacy during absence from the workforce and facilitates and encourages take-up of appropriate employment.

*  Equal decision-making rights in the workplace, the boardroom, the pension Trustee Board and other organisations; as well as in the legislature, judiciary and executive of the state.

*  Enjoyment of multi-culturalism and diversity in the workplace and society generally; and international solidarity with, and active support for, disadvantaged workers world-wide, including the many millions of men, women and children suffering the indignity and even torture of human trafficking, bonded labour and other modern-day versions of slavery.

This Charter has been produced by SIPTU’s Equality Unit – copies are available from at 01-8586300, or feel free to reproduce and display as widely as you wish.




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