STATEMENT
by the General Confederation of Trade Unions
on the 8th of March, the International Women's Day
Moscow, March 2002

The General Confederation of Trade Unions congratulates women and all working people in the Commonwealth of Independent States on the 8th of March, the International Women's Day, and wishes them good health, every success in their work, and personal happiness.

The year of 2001, the first one in the third millennium, saw the 10th Anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States which has proved to be necessary and viable. The joint efforts by parliamentarians and trade unions of the CIS countries have resulted in the formulation of the course for building a common social space, and for a gradual creation of a single labour market.

Exceptionally important changes have occurred over the past ten years in the CIS countries. Many of them have made progress in reforming their economies. Their Constitutions have recognised the basic human rights, such as the freedom of vote, the right of expression, the rights of organisation, initiative and enterprise, the freedom of movement, etc. Women in all the CIS countries enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life and public activity.

The General Confederation of Trade Unions notes with satisfaction the growing activity of the women's movement in all trade union structures. Women's forums and seminars have taken place in Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine. Special resolutions on gender equality have been adopted by the congresses of the General Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Moldova and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia. A number of events to discuss women workers' problems have been arranged jointly with various governmental and public women's commissions and associations. The Governments of CIS countries are making efforts to observe the international instruments, and, in particular, the UN and ILO conventions establishing equal treatment of men and women in the labour market, including the right to employment and equal pay for equal work. Some CIS countries have raised the minimum wages and children allowances.

However, the GCTU notes that, despite the positive changes, the insufficient funding has considerably impeded the fulfilment of the national programmes to improve women's conditions. The recommendations of the Special Session of the UN General Assembly "Beijing+5" have not been fully implemented in what concerns the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the eradication of poverty and violence, and the improvement of health service. Statistics show that the rates of female unemployment are still high, while the wages in the sectors employing the highest percentage of women are lagging far behind the wages in the key industries. The high level of poverty among the working families cannot be justified either.

Some CIS countries have reduced their public health care expenses. The rapidly growing rates of paid medicine are also alarming, as this threatens to strip the population of the elementary medical services provided for by the compulsory health insurance schemes.

In several CIS countries, the sizeable income gap infringes upon the very principle of equal access to education. The numbers of children and teenagers not attending school and homeless children have increased over the ten years of the transition period.

On the eve of the International Women's Day, the General Confederation of Trade Unions once again confirms its intention to carry on the struggle for the observance of the international instruments, including the Beijing Platform, to improve the conditions of women and their families, and increase their role in society. We urge all our affiliates and friendly organisations to oppose resolutely any forms of discrimination against women in the labour market, and work for equal pay and genuine gender equality. As they conclude tripartite accords and collective agreements, the trade unions must be more insistent on the observance of the international standards and obligations taken in the spheres of health and safety, education and vocational training, pensions, and children's protection. It is necessary to enhance public control over the accomplishment of the national projects and programmes aiming to improve women's conditions, and secure their funding in full.

The General Confederation of Trade Unions calls upon the national trade union centres and industrial trade union internationals to help further develop women's organisations in trade union structures, render support and assistance to the mass media in their efforts to engage more women in trade union activities at the grass-root level, and promote the most active women and young girls to the leading positions in trade unions.

General Confederation of Trade Unions