Barber praises success of union campaigning

Louise Nousratpour
Friday March 13, 2009
The Morning Star

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber blamed "a few male bankers" for the current economic crisis on Friday, urging the government not to make ordinary women pay for their "recklessness" by shelving equality rights.

Addressing the final day of TUC women's conference in Scarborough, Mr Barber praised women trade unionists for their hard-won victories over the past year.

"The Single Equality Bill, while not perfect, is a great step forward and the creation of a network of equality reps and the safeguarding of Britain's abortion rights are all achievements you should be proud of," he insisted.

"But so much remains to be done as the global crisis intensifies and the recession threatens to become depression.

Mr Barber told the government not to give into the business lobby in delaying stronger maternity and equality rights contained in the Equality Bill.

He argued for a "new deal" for women, saying: "If we can find £1.3 trillion to bail out the banks, surely we can spend a fraction of that on providing world-class childcare for all and introduce mandatory pay audits to stamp out pay inequalities."

"The terrible inequalities that have been allowed to flourish in Britain have meant that women will be hit the hardest by the recession. It is not right that eight in 10 of the lowest-paid jobs are occupied by women, while nine in 10 highest-paid positions are occupied by men.

"And it's not right that three-quarters of part-timers are women, where the pay gap is a colossal 63 per cent."

Mr Barber stressed the importance of mobilising the movement to pressure the G20 leaders to put working people first when they gather in London next month to discuss the global crisis.

And he reported that the TUC has signed a memorandum of understanding with human rights group Amnesty to "launch a more effective and co-ordinated campaign in our pursuit for labour and human rights.

"So my message is this - don't forget what together we can achieve and don't forget that union campaigning has saved countless women from slavery, forced labour and prostitution around the world.

"We have made a difference and we will keep on making a difference."