Meeting was opened by Plamen Dimitrov, President of CITUB, Ivaylo Ivanov, Minister of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria, Isabelle Schömann, Deputy General Secretary of ETUC and Yanka Takeva, Chair of the CITUB Women structure. Situation in Bulgaria and European level was addressed in terms of minimum wage and its augmentation. Labour Minister reiterated, that Bulgaria ratified over one hundred Conventions, but C190 is yet to come and Unions are an important player in promoting this instrument. Video greetings were sent by General Secretary of PERC Esther Lynch and President of Women Committee Roya Garayeva.
Different instruments were presented on EU and national levels. Under the Belgian EU Presidency, an important milestone was reached in the fight against gender-based violence. The Directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence (EU/ 2024/1385) has been adopted on 7 May 2024. This Directive gives attention to a broader scope of gender-based violence, for example also to upcoming phenomena like cyber stalking, harassment & violence. The new Directive raises the bar at EU level and criminalizes the sharing of intimate images without consent, cyberbullying, cyberstalking and online incitement to hatred or violence. More than a minimum set of rules, the text provides a solid basis for improving access to justice, standards, understanding and awareness of gender-based violence within the EU and beyond. Victims of cyber violence can file a report online.
Ozge Berber Agtas, Gender Equality and Non-discrimination Specialist at ILO presented global statistics of C190 and a historic opportunity to shape a future of work based on dignity and respect. Currently 45 countries have ratified C190 with most recent being Kyrgyzstan. There is a need of empowerment of national labour inspectorates and provide guidance for ministries as well and clear message that Convention gives protection to all, not only women. ITUC Policy Advisor, Irem Arf, presented outcomes of ITUC questionnaire and ITUC’s role in organising capacity building workshops, support to affiliates with lobby and advocacy, monitoring trade union activities, campaigns on key events like the anniversary of the adoption of C190 and R206, 16 days of activism, campaign resources and reports on trade union engagement in C190.
ETUC actions tackling violence and harassment against women at work includes project “Safe at work, safe at home, safe online" which is designed to support ETUC affiliates in their actions to end violence and harassment at work, understanding the issue – how trade unions on national level are addressing GBVH, initiatives of sharing of good practices and awareness on new forms of GBVH. The ETUC are taking up on a EU level the topic of sexual harassment, domestic violence, third party and cyber violence and gender bias in AI. We need strong legislation and trade union strategies through collective bargaining.
Different national experience was presented during 2 days from different countries Albania, Belgium, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Greece, Poland, Netherland, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Germany, France, North Macedonia and many others. Women in Ukraine and Belarus are fighting additional battles. In Ukraine because of war people who work in critical sector are dying at workplaces. Women are entering the armed forces and heavy industry sector not always with necessary qualification. Trade unions encounter additional challenges during this period - safety of members and union staff, lack of social dialogue and restrictions, liberalization of labour relations. Trade unions need to do humanitarian work in addition to daily tasks. Social dialogue needs to be re-activated and strengthened which should be evident to the Government in its strive to be part of the EU. The refugees cannot be forgotten, those who fled when the war broke out going to other EU countries and facing additional challenges by not knowing their rights, language, local labour legislation and more exposed to “social dumping“ and exploitation. In Belarus many women, that were active in Trade Union work, were imprisoned for their work and are considered political prisoners. Even after release (if this happens) repressions continue. Still many women remain in jail at this moment in Belarus. Trade Unionism is not a crime and people should not suffer for their activism and trade union activities, but this is exactly what happens in Belarus.
FES Bulgaria office and CITUB presented outcomes of the project “Sexual harassment at work. How to break the silence?” Out of 839 of responders of online survey indicate, that 89% experienced sexual harassment at work place out of which 10% are men with a wide scope of abuse from making feel you uncomfortable to physical violence. Tamar Gabisonia International Lawyers Assisting Workers Network (ILAW Network) presented work and structure of network and work focused on GBV on global level. The core mission of the ILAW Network is to bring together legal practitioners and scholars in an exchange of ideas and information in order to best represent the rights and interests of workers and their organizations wherever they may be.
Women at the event discussed needs and future actions. Still many things to come and Trade Unions need to be preparing strategies. Digitalization has an impact and not an only positive one. Discrimination is a big factor in platform work. Telework and new technologies are increasing cyberviolence is quite prominent and should be tackled. There is currently no single definition of cyberviolence and many existing terms describing different types of cyberviolence related to acts committed in private or public sphere. Digital acts of violence do not always lead directly to physical harm, which is the most visible form of violence. As a result, cyberviolence is harder to prove or is dismissed as an insignificant, virtual phenomenon that is less impactful and harmful to its victims. Trade Unions need work on strategies to include protection in CBAs, strategic litigation is needed on national level and raising awareness on all forms of GBV including in the world of work, including cyberviolence.
