The presence of women at Mexican unionism it still maintains a deficit and in the organizational structure of the unions it is barely 20%; although the labor reform of 2019 considered several aspects to balance the most active participation, it still has pending tasks, even in the statutes.
That’s how he put it Agnes Gomezcoordinator of Trade Union and Gender Dialogue of the Friedrich Ebert FoundationWith respect to gender union deficit that exists in the country, where aspects such as the lack of presence of women in the Executive committee of the unions is evident; as well as in the negotiating commissions of the collective agreementsand even union statutes are not inclusive.
“There is a political gender violence in the unions, which has to do with a gender deficit by the lack of representation in the executive committee in the collective bargaining commissionboth salary and contractual, as well as in the gender agenda that sometimes is non-existent or is not raised as it should be in the statutes and regulations, “explained Gómez.
Even though the reform to the Federal Labor Law integrated 18 changes to achieve equality and the participation of women, it is evident that adjustments and supervision are still needed regarding how compliance is carried out, and this, he said, corresponds to the Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registrationbut also to trade union organizations.
Data of the STPS point out that only 8.67% of all trade union organizations have general secretariats headed by women. They have a presence in 275 union general secretariats, in 39 federation general secretariats and one confederation general secretariat. Their election has varied in recent years, thus, they went from three women elected in 2010, to 27 in 2021.
Only in 25 states is there a presence of women union leaders, highlighting the Mexico Citywith 173 general secretaries, followed by Mexico statewith 44.
Proportionality, not parity
The expert on trade union and women’s issues explained that there has been a lot of confusion regarding how to have a greater presence of women in trade unionismand stressed that it is a question of speaking of proportionality and not of parity, since this will depend on the economic sector.
“There is a lot of confusion regarding what gender proportionality is, many people in the unions or in consultations that make us, consider that we are talking about parity and no, it is about proportionality; for example in the Teacher’s union (SNTE) the majority are women, but nevertheless, in the Executive Committee and in the Trading Commissions That 70% women and 30% men in the sector is not reflected,” he explained.
“In contrast, there are sectors like the automotive where the participation of workers is majority, it is men; then, here it is understood that the 70-30 is reversed; and there is greater participation of men in managerial positions; but this guarantee that the law now gives is of the utmost importance, because the world of work has been reconverted; but the situation in the unions still does not see a change, ”he pointed out.
In this sense, he stressed that “legal changes are not enough, if we do not go to a real implementation”, so that almost three years after the labour reformsupervision is essential.
“As the Federal Labor Center take the necessary measures; how to check that they are fulfilled (the participation of women) from the announcement of the election of the directive we need to know that. What does the union do to achieve gender equality; the labor reform can be a promise but the labor reform is not known, it is not spread and it does not endorse those changes”, he highlighted.