Equal pay for women initiative welcomed by activists and unionists
ACTIVISTS and unionists in Bahrain have welcomed a new global initiative aimed at boosting equal pay for women at work.
The Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), launched by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UN Women and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will support innovative and effective equal pay policies and practices around the globe.
Unequal pay between women and men for work of equal value has been one of the most persistent barriers to women’s success at work, according to the UN Women.
“We face this problem (unequal pay) in some companies in Bahrain,” General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions representative Karim Radhi told the GDN.
“Maybe not in basic pay, but when it comes to allowances, women do face gender-based differentiation.
“For instance, in social allowances, there are two categories – for married and unmarried women.
“However, in some companies even the married women employees get the same allowances meant for unmarried women.
“I think this discrimination goes back to the olden times when women were mostly housewives, and men were traditionally considered responsible for livelihood.
“In Bahrain, many initiatives were taken in this context either by the trade union or the employers to ensure equal pay.
“In the labour law (36/2012) there is a very clear article (No 39) which states, “Discrimination in wages based on sex, origin, language, religion or ideology shall be prohibited’.”
He urged Bahrain to ratify ILO Convention 100 (of 1951) concerning equal remuneration for men and women.
“It is important that Bahrain ratifies this convention, without which we cannot overcome this barrier.
“Launching EPIC is a big move and we fully support this initiative which will make equal pay a reality rather than just a dream.”
Bahrain Women’s Union board member Sabah Al Asfoor said that there was a hidden gap in the pay standards.
“In Bahrain, men and women are paid equal, including benefits and allowances – but in reality, there is a gap.
“Women don’t get equal opportunities and they lose opportunities due to maternity and this difference will not show immediately but appear in the long run.
“Bahrain can definitely benefit from EPIC as it will set an international standard and benchmark which can be used as a reference point.”
Activist and Dar Al Aman shelter for Women head Dr Huda Al Mahmood, however, had a contrary view.
“I don’t really think that equal pay is an issue in Bahrain.
“Apart from some minor differences in social allowances where men receive a little more, basic salaries are the same irrespective of gender according to the labour laws in both public and private sectors.
“I know it’s an issue in the West despite all the advantages women have over there.
“Shedding light on the issue may help bring more attention, though, I think, sadly, the world today is run by profit and greed, more than principles and human values.”
ILO Director-General Guy Rider described unequal pay as the “most visible, tangible and pervasive manifestations of discrimination”.
“The principle of equal pay for work of equal value is enshrined in the ILO Constitution of 1919.
“One hundred years is too long to wait, and we must all work together to make equal pay for work of equal value a reality.”
A recent ILO-Gallup report, based on a representative survey of 142 countries, showed that women and men alike want women to be in paid jobs, but there remain a range of challenges for women at work, including unequal pay, balancing work and family responsibilities, lack of access to affordable care and unfair treatment.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/256725/Equal-pay-for-women-initiative-welcomed
