Open World Conference of Workers

In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights

The Commission of Women of the International Entente of workers and peoples address all the correspondents in Europe:

March 8, 2004

Repeal the treaty of Maastricht and the European directives!

Defend and re-conquer the rights of women workers

Rubina Jamil, president of the WWO (Working Women Organization), secretary of the APTUF (All Pakistan Trade Unions Federation) of Pakistan calls for making March 8, 2004 a day of mobilization for the rights of women, against deregulation, flexibility, precarious employment, and respect for the conventions of the ILO. The ILC International Newsletter published in its No. 65 issue, Rubina Jamil’s appeal for March 8, 2004. One reads therein: “Together, last year, we have during the course of the Emergency Conference against war and the exploitation organized by the International Liaison Commitee of workers and peoples, on the eve of the war against the Iraqi people, launched an appeal to make March 8, 2003 an international day of mobilization. “No to war, no to the genocide of the Iraqi people, for peace, for democracy, for social justice, for the rights of women workers.”

This year, at the time when “total war” seems impending against all peoples, I ask you to reinforce our union.

I appeal to you to establish in each of your countries, the consequences for women, of the policies driven by the IMF, the World Bank, international institutions, the European Union, the FTAA, NAFTA, ASDEAD, NEPAD.

I urge you to make March 8, 2004 a day of mobilization.

·        Against war, for democracy, against the communitarian confrontations, for peace, for the sovereignty of nations.

·        To support the delegation which will be present at the ILO next March 15 “for the rights of the workers of Iraq.”

·        For the rights of working women.

·        For the ratification and respect of the ILO conventions, which constitute on an international level and particularly in my own country, support for national legislations of the rights and guarantees for women and all workers.

·        For the defense of workers’ rights against globalization, the multinationals, privatization, and deregulation.

The Commission of Women of the International Liaison Committee of workers and peoples, addresses all those who have prepared and supported the European Meeting that met in Paris on September 20 and 21 last, to say “No to the European Constitution.”

After the failure of the inter-governmental conference of December 13, 2003 we have all pursued in the appropriate manner, our campaign “for the repeal of the Maastricht treaty and the European directives, against regionalization and for the sovereignty of nations.”

The last bureau of the European liaison committee on January 24, 2004 discussed having another European encounter.

The Commission of Women of the ILC invites you to prepare for March 8, 2004

In response to Rubina Jamil’s appeal in our different European countries

We invite you take a survey on the consequences of 12 years of Maastricht on the women of your respective countries.

For your assistance, the Commission suggests the following questionnaire.

We will publish before March 8, 2004 in a bulletin, the contributions we will have received.

All answers, even if partial, will help us to address together the act of accusation of the European Union in all the countries of Europe whether or not they are members of the European Union and to make it known on March 8, 2004, in an appropriate form to each country.

Questionnaire:

• Directive 76-207-CEE “relative to the professional equality between women and men.”

What consequences in your country? Has your government transposed this directive? Has it denounced the ILO conventions prohibiting night work for women in the industry? Has it re-established night work for women in the industry? Do you have figures, surveys, testimonies?

Are there other consequences of this directive on the particular rights of women? (retirement plans, others…)

• Directive 92-85-CEE concerning “the security and the health of pregnant workers, delivering or breast feeding at work”

Has your government transposed this directive?  Has there been a modification of laws, reglamentary dispositions concerning the protection of maternity (length of maternity leave, maternity compensation, discrimination a l’embauche?, leave for pregnant women, medical supervision of pregnancy and infants…)

• Directive 94-33-CEE “relative to the protection of youth at work.”

Has this directive been transposed? Is there a modification of laws prohibiting child labor? If yes, what are the consequences for the children, their scholarization, their right to instruction and diplomas?

• Privatization of public services. What consequences for the women? Childcare, daycare centers, etc.
• “Reforms” of social protection, of health systems?

What consequences on women’s health and that of their children?

• Is there a modification, where the right of contraception exists, a la IVG?
• Deregulation, remise en cause des statuts, conventions collectives???

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