8th March campaign activities, 2005

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Page context: International Women's Day 2005 > 8th March campaign activities, 2005

Argentina
The Maritime Officers union ‘Centro de Capitanes de Ultramar y Oficiales de la Marina Mercante’ is organising a conference and seminars for both men and women on the 'Inclusion of women in the maritime industry'.

15 women activists along with various representantives from ITF affiliate, Asociación Argentina de Aeronavegantes (AAA) wearing 'Strong Unions Need Women' t-shirts distributed campaign materials to women passengers in transit at the airport. In the evening, AAA participated in event organised by the CGT's Equal Opportunities Department, the union organised a stand where images potraying women workers fight to save Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral (airlines) were displayed.

Bangladesh
In order to highlight and tackle sexual harassment and other problems women transport workers' face, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation Workers' Union will be inviting union members and leaders to a series of lectures and a rally organised on the 8th March.

Barbados
To raise awareness of the positive contribution women workers make in the transport sectors, the Barbados Workers' Union will be mobilising female and male activists, 2 weeks prior to 8 March. Campaign materials will be distributed to workplaces simultaneously on 7 & 8 March, to highlight women transport workers' concerns. On the 8 March the union will hold discussions and awards ceremony for female activists.

Benin
The Syndicat National des Travailleurs de la Météorologie et d'Aviation Civile (SYNATRAMAC) plans to expand the HIV/AIDS campaign and also try to involve more women in the trade union.

A convoy, training and awareness session and seminars are being organised by the Syndicat National des Zemidjan du Benin with the aim of improve the organisation of women transport workers

The Syndicat des Travailleurs Air Afrique Bénin (SYNTRACAAV) aim to recruit more women working in port (s), fisherwomen and those selling fish in the port. The union plans to use an existing national campaign to inform women of their social rights, in order to organise more women and inform about the ITF.

Bermuda
For March 8th, the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) has planned forum to organise more women, in particular younger women.

Brazil
To give visibility to the work of the federation and International Women’s Day, the Federaçao Nacional des Aeronautas e Aeroviários (FNAA) is planning to hold a 2 day seminar to talk about health, trade unionism, the ITF and its campaigns aimed at women workers in civil aviation, cabin crew and ground staff.

Confederaçao Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Transportes Terrestres (CNTTT) are organising activities with CEDIM - the national women's council, in the central train station where campaign materials, along with video presentations and information boards will be available. The activities are organised in order to raise the awareness, of women working in the railway industry, of the benefits of trade union membership.

Cambodia
The Trade Unions of Sihanouk Ville Port organised activities on 8th March in order to, improve networking amongst all women members and encourage women to participate on the day in meetings by raising and reporting issues.

Cameroon
Round table discussion on the role of women transport workers in fighting HIV/AIDS and role of unionised women workers will be organised by the Syndicat National des Inscrits Maritimes et Assimilés du Cameroun (SYNIMAC). Seafarers, maritime and port authorities will be invited. The union will also take part in national demonstrations.

As a way of promoting trade unionism amongst young women workers, the Organisation Syndicale Nationale des Transporteurs Urbains du Cameroun is involved in trade union education programme. Women workers will learn about their rights and be aware of the advantages in joining a trade union.

Colombia
The campaign objective of Union de Marinos Mercantes y de Pesca Colombianos is to strengthen the union by seeking active participation and commitment from women members. The union in conjunction with SINCONTAXCAR also has a project underway linked to the development of a large transport system,’Transcaribe Cartagena’, where the hiring of lots of women transport workers is envisaged.

France
The CFDT participated along with other unions and associations in a march for women's rights on the 8th March. This march also marks the launch of the second World Wide Women's March against poverty, violence and neoliberalism.

Great Britain
The Transport and General Workers' Union is campaigning for March 8th o be designated as a public holiday (see pages on the T&G website).

In addition, to raise the profile of International Women's Day and increase women's involvement, the TGWU will target potential women activists in the north east of England. A meeting on 5 March is planned in order to network and celebrate International Women’s Day.

The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen (ASLEF) will be marking International Women’s Day, by marching to the venue where the first ASLEF meeting was held. Women trade unionists in the Leeds area, will be gathering in Victoria Gardens with the ASLEF women's banner and marching to the commercial public house in Sweet Street.

The TUC - Chelmsford will be raising awareness and promoting the message ‘Strong Unions Need Women’ on the day by distributing ITF campaign material and information to the general public and 30 members.

Guyana
The Clerical and Commercial Workers' Union, the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union and the Guyana Labour Union are organising a week of activities to mark the ITF campaign, these include a film festival, collaboration with women's groups and symposium. They will also launch a national women's committee on 11 March.

India
Railway women workers all over India, affiliates of the All India Railwaymen's Federation will organising a procession, mass meetings and seminars. The activities will take place in order to strengthen their organisation and increase the ITF activities and increase awareness on how to solve women's grievances at a local, national and international level.

The South Central Railway Mazdoor Union an affiliate of All India Railwaymen's Federation and Hind Mazdoor Sabha organized International Women's Day Celebrations in the Rail Nilayam Auditorium, Secunderabad, where a playlet was enacted and more than 800 women delegates attended, from all over the South Central Railway and affiliates of Hind Mazdoor Sabha. The union also reported on the address of guest speaker Umraomal Purohit, President, International Transport Workers Federation, President, All India Railwaymen's Federation and General Secretary, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, he said that women were more capable than men in the trade union movement and trade unions should encourage them to achieve the goal of empowerment of women in a meaningful way.

The Indian National Transport Workers' Federation plan to hold a demonstration and meeting to discuss the effectiveness of the campaign and ITF activities in connection with women welfare and rights.

The Transport & Dock Workers' Union plan to bring together women employees from Mumbai Port to raise awareness on 2 issues, Women's Health and HIV Aids awareness.

Indonesia
Sektor Transportasi Dan Angkutan - Serikat Buruh Sejahtera Indonesia (SBSI) will be distributed campaign stickers with the slogan ‘Strong Unions need Women’ in order to encourage women workers to join the union.

Ivory Coast
Get more women involved in trade union activities, the women's committee of the Syndicat de la Météorologie et de l'Aviation (SYMA), planned to invite women to a workplace meeting to discuss internal problems before meeting with union's coordinating committe on 8th March.

Japan
The Secretariat of ITF Japanese Coordinating Committee, representing affiliated unions in Japan attended a forum on 8 March organised by the ILO and several UN agencies. The forum was entitled ‘Towards Empowered Society - Perspective on Gender Equality at Beijing +10', particularly commemorating the 10th anniversary of Beijing Women's Conference in 1995.Discussion was opened with the message of Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN delivered by Ramesh Thakur, Senior Vice-Rector, UN University. Following the keynote speech by female member of the Japanese UpperHouse, 3 panelists spoke on women's empowerment-related issues. The forum noted that: there has been much progress in women's empowerment and yet much has to be done in the coming years; women are now turning themselves from those who need to be empowered to those who actively pursue empowerment; gender equality and women's empowerment are not the issue that concerns only women but also concerns governments and the whole international community; holding one day event is not enough and women's empowerment must be recognised in our day-to-day lives.

Jordan
Women working in the airline industry, members of the General Trade Union of Workers in Air Transport and Tourism will be sent campaign materials, electronic news and brochures as part of the ITF 8th March campaign and as a way of increasing women’s awareness of their rights in society.

Kenya
The Kenya Railway Workers' Union are campaigning to raise women workers' awareness on union matters, all female union members will be invited to a series of activities including 6 March visit to children’s home, 7th March visit to home based care centres culminating on the 8th March were there will be a football match.

Kiribati
The Kiribati Islands Overseas Seamen's Union (KIOSU) will be engage with NGO's and youth associations to organise workshops and a demonstration to mark 8th March.

Latvia
The Latvian Railroad Trade Union is focussing efforts on involving more women in their organisation by giving them the some rights men have with regards to working conditions and salary. The union will also be taking part in all activities organised by Latvian Free Trade Union Confederation, LBAS.

Lithuania
The Lithuanian Transport Workers’ Federation representing workers of all transport modes: Road, Seafarers, Aviation, Railway and Dockers organised meeting at Vilnius bus depot and in the Kaunas Bus depot. The meeting discussed low wages (minimum established by the government is irreally low and makes only 146 Euro per month) and dismissals of women of pre-pension age who have limited chances of finding a job.

Malawi
The Central East African Railway Workers' Union (CEARWU)are planning activities for 8th March in order to promote more women working in the transport industry, in particular the railways. Their campaign will also focus on empowering women in order to improve representation of women both in the workplace and the union, other campaigning issues include HIV/Aids.

Mauritius
A one-day seminar organised to mark the Women Transport the World campaign. The seminar is organised by the Transport Corporation Employees' Union.

Mongolia
The Federation of Mongolian Railway Workers Trade Union will be participating in a campaign involving all trade union committees and all members to ratify ILO Convention No. 183 on maternity protection. The union will be organising a meeting, a petition and a training programme on women issues.

Namibia
To motivate other women to take up career paths that would bring gender balance within the transport sector and recruit more women in the transport sector.

Women members of the Namibian Transport and Allied Workers' Union (NATAU) will organise a march and debate.

New Zealand
To celebrate women's involvement in the transport sector and to organise more women members, the Aviation & Marine Engineers Association Incorporated plan to hold lunchtime BBQ at Air New Zealand’s engineering base. Both men and women working at Air New Zealand will be invited.

Nigeria
Maritime Workers' Union of Nigeria will be campaigning for gender equality by targeting union leaders and affiliates. The union will organise inter-union exchange visits and will hold detailed discussions on gender mainstreaming.

To create awareness among women union members and to organise more women, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) will be inviting both male and female workers in the aviation industry and the immediate community to pre-workshop seminars and a rally. The union will also distribute campaign materials such as t-shirts, banners and leaflets.

Pakistan
To highlight the 8th March, the Pakistan Transport Workers’ Federation organised meetings at local and national level for women transport workers.

Peru
All women docker workers in all national ports will be invited to motivational and trade union education workshops and courses. These activities are organised by Federación Nacional de Trabajadores de la Empresa Nacional de Puertos (FENTENAPU) to promote women working in the ports.

Philippines
The Philippine Seafarers' Union PSU (ALU-TUCP) will hold a 2-day seminar entitled 'Women's rights are trade union rights' on 12 March. The seminar will focus on women's rights issues, with invited speakers specialising on Philippine labour laws, around 30 men and women are expected to attend.

Portugal
The Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Vôo da Aviaçâo Civil - SNPVAC will be focussing on health and safety for women transport workers and also their family rights. The union will be targeting the government and the employers to recognise the maternity rights and breast feeding rights of cabin crew women.

Romania
The union combined its activities for the ITF Railway Action Day and International Women's Day with a meeting, which was attended by representatives from the union, the Metrorex Company management and women from each branch of metro activity. Cristina Tilling, ETF also attended.

Russia
To assist in organising, recruiting and encouraging young women railway workers, the Trade Union of Railwaymen and Transport Construction Workers of Russia will be organising traditionally festive meetings involving all male and female workers on the 6 - 7 March in all working collectives at all levels on Russian Railways. Members of the women's network will inform union members of the objectives of the campaign. ITF posters, postcards and stickers in Russian will be circulated. The Russian version of the journal 'Transport Women 2005; will be available in all major working collectives. Women's issues will be also included into the agenda of all educational activities of the union at all levels.

The Dockers' Union of Russia will be campaigning for the involvement of women in union and union activities. The union plans to distribute ITF materials and union materials. The union will also hold meetings with groups of female union members to discuss their roles and defence of their rights at work as well as in society.

Senegal
The Syndicat National des Travailleurs de la Marine Marchande (SNTMM) will be campaigning to assist women to better understand their rights. The union will target women seafarers and fish merchants and plan to encourage women to join the union

South Africa
To raise awareness on the plight of women drivers adn their maternity rights, the South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU) plan to picket train stations.

Spain
Federacion Estatal de Transportes Comunicaciones y Mar - UG T will continue with ongoing campaigning for a trade union action plan for equal opportunities between men and women, guaranteed through social dialogue and collective negotiations. On the 8th March the federation will organise a General Assembly and rally in Madrid, Puerto del Sol with the presentation of awards as recognition of work. ITF campaign materials will also be distributed.

The Federación de Comunicación y Transporte de CC.OO has adopted the slogan 'Strong Unions need Women' and joins the 8th March celebrations, with a campaign plan designed to identify and developing union objectives for the coming year. Particular focus is placed on young women and immigrant workers, other high priority issues include an analysis of where women are placed within the union leadership, more women on collective bargaining teams in order to erradícate the diverse types of discrimination women undergo and to better understand the effects that social and working conditions have on women's health.

Tanzania
The Dock Workers Union of Tanzania will be holding sectional meetings for union members and will be joining with other unions to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The Tanzania Seamen's Union (Zanzibar will start Women's day celebrations on 2nd March, these will culminate in a mammoth rally ending at the national stadium on 8th March. Tanzania's President Honourable Benjamin William Mkapa will address the rally, and women from all ITF affiliates will join other women activists from ngos and other trade unions to make the celebrations a success.

Thailand
In Thailand, the national coordinating committee representing;

Thai Airways International Union
Aerothai State Enterprise Union
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited State Enterprise Worker Union (AOT. SWU)
Express Transport Organisation of State Enterprise Workers’ Union
Tourism Authority of Thailand State Enterprise Employee Union
State Enterprise Labour Union of Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (LU-ETA)
State Railway Workers' Union of Thailand (SRUT)
Labour Union of Port Authority of Thailand, Transport Company Ltd State Enterprise Employees' Union (TRAN-U)
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority State Enterprise Workers' Union

will be marking the 8th March as international women's day by organising a rally and marching on the streets on behalf of ITF together with other women's groups in every sector. The campaign objective is to raise awareness on women's issues amongst workers and the general public. They plan to submit the following demands to Government representatives:

1. Urge the government to issue and implement the Act of Establishing the
institution of OSHE Protection in the workplace

2. Urge the government to issue the law and allocate the budget for Child care
center in industrial area and community

3. Urge the government and Social Security Committee to amend the Social
Security Act for employee and protect the HIV/AIDS infected employee

4. Urge the government to cancel sub-contract workers and expand the labour protection law for irregular workers

5. Demand the government to stop Privatization

6. Urge the government to promote and support women workers’ participation in
every level including Policy decision making level

7. Urge the government to increase the minimum wage according to ILO standard

Togo
In Togo, the Syndicat des Travailleurs du Port Autonome de Lomé (SYNTRAPAL) will be targeting non-unionised women and young transport workers. The union plans to hold meetings on women’s basic rights and organise activities to raise funds via the production of soap and bleach. The union will also be distributing information on sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

The Syndicat des Travailleurs des Compagnies de Navigation Maritimes, Aériennes et de Transit du Togo will be holding a conference, discussion and a march to campaign for the better awareness and trade union organisation amongst women and young workers.

Tunisia
The railway union in Tunisia, the Fédération Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisien will be promoting women to leadership positions in railway unions. A programme of activities commencing in March will include meetings of different bodies, allocation of work, distribution of leaflets and round table discussions on the role of women in trade unions.

Turkey
To put forward the trade union message to as many women workers, both members and unorganised workers, the Turkish Civil Aviation Union Hava-Is will be organising, an 8th March activity in the education room (THY). Members from the ETF Women’s Committee will also be visiting workplaces on 6th March.

Ukraine
To attract attention to working women's issues/problems and promote women activists, the Sovet Profsojua Zeleznodoroznikov I Transportnzh Stroitelei Ukrainy will be organising a meeting of all women working in the railway, metro and road transport and a media campaign.

The Ukrainian Marine Trade Unions' Federation is campaigning to organise and recruit young women transport workers and to fight for women transport workers` basic rights. The union calls for equality and protection by taking a strong position against women's discrimination. The union will take a series of important decisions about transport structures in the Ukraine and will be holding meetings with employer to highlight the exercising and protection people's civil, economic, social, cultural rights and liberties.

United States
The Norsk Sjømannsforbund office in Miami will informing women working on cruise ships about March 8 and the history behind International Women’s Day.

The union will visit BHS Norwegian Dawn in Port Canaveral and hand out campaign materials to women. They will also send some material to their Seafarers Centre in San Juan, Puerto Rico to be handed out to women visiting the center.

The objective of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) is to call attention to the need to maintain and strengthen the national Family Medical Leave Act, FMLA. The union informs that the US's current administration continually attempts to diminish the effectiveness of the Act and weaken the provisions used most by working families. IAM’s campaign will seek to ask women's committees to hold postcards drives in their lodges with message to elected members of Congress and the President to protect and strengthen FMLA. The campaign is intended to last through 2005, urging IAM committees to continue to put pressure on elected representatives to protect the FMLA laws.

Zambia
To sensitise women workers' on their rights in a transport company the Women’s Committee of the Railway Workers' Union of Zambia will conduct meetings for the areas of operation and distribute campaign materials, organise banners and group photos covering their campaign activities. The union will also participate in activities organised by NGOs, the Gender department of the Zambian Government and civil society organisations. There will be speeches on women’s empowerment at work places, as Zambia is one of the signatories to the SADC protocol of recognising 30% women's involvement in all areas of concern. At the same time, this will create a platform to sensitise women members, who are now working for a private company due to rail reforms.

Under the slogan ' We need equal training and career opportunities', the National Union of Transport and Allied Workers (NUTAW) marched to mark International Women's Day, the guest of honour, the female minister of sport, youth and child development was in attendance along with the union's General Secretary.

Zimbabwe
To encourage women to go for decision-making positions for effective participation in unions, parliament and other organisations, the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Railwaymen's Union will be organising meetings at workplaces and churches. The meeting will serve as a way of getting feedback and ideas from women about the campaign and how to better involve them. The union will also organise a rally and posting up of campaign materials in public places.

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