ILO calls on FG, world leaders to tackle root causes of occupational segregation

THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called on the Nigerian Government and leaders over the world, as well as other stakeholders to take action in promoting equal pay for equal work.

Besides, the organisation wants the world leaders to tackle the root causes of occupational and sectorial segregation, transforming institutions to prevent and eliminate discrimination, and dealing with violence and harassment against both men and women.

In a report recently released by the ILO, titled: “World Employment Social Outlook: Trends for women 2017,” 70 per cent of the women would like to perform a paid job while more than 50 per cent of them remain out of the labour market.

The report stated that women are less likely to enter the labour market than men, “but when they do, they face more difficulties to find a job.”

Globally the unemployment rate for women is 6.2 per cent whereas for men it stands at 5.5 per cent.

According to the ILO, at the global level the gaps have remained relatively unchanged even if in some countries the gaps are closing more rapidly.

The report said: “A large proportion of women don’t have access to decent work. 15 per cent of working women are contributing family workers. This proportion has declined in the recent years, but it reflects the shift of women to own-account work, for which women do not benefit from any kind of social protection.

“Although the gender pay gap varies from country to country it remains widespread. In some countries the gap in hourly wage rates between women and men can reach 40 per cent. In developed countries, not only are women paid less but there are also fewer women in highly paid positions.”

General Secretary of the ILO, Mr Guy Rider said: “Over 800 million women still lack adequate maternity protection. The gender pay gap is narrowing only at a glacial rate. Women continue to be represented in low paid jobs, and the concept of equal value remains allusive for far too many.

“This trend should worry us and must worry us and the progress is not going to happen by continuing to do more of the same.”

The ILO noted that gender segregation in sectoral distribution is a reality, adding “at the global level, women are primarily working in education, health and social works, followed then by retail and sales.

“In Asia and in North Africa, women are also concentrated in manufacturing, reflecting the high proportion of women workers in apparel manufacturing. This segregation reflects the difficulties faced by women to enter certain jobs.

“Women face a series of socio-economic constraints varying from country to country: discrimination, gender role conformity, lack of education, work-life balance, lack of childcare and transportation.

“Sexual violence and harassment also remains a barrier for women to enter and evolve in the labour market.”

Rehema Ludanga, from the Tanzania union of industrial and commercial workers said at the World of Work summit, ILC 2017: “We have to empower these women to understand their rights and those who are not rights at them, they do not understand their rights at work, because they do not understand.

“They think it is right for me to be this. We have to empower them. Let them know that it is not right. The big issue is awareness of the women.”