Abvakabo FNV, Anneke Stevens March 2010

1. Gender, care and paid work Abvakabo FNV, Anneke Stevens March 2010

2. History of the emancipation of women • First wave of feminism (1870-1920): *women’s suffrage (right to vote) *Aletta Jacobs, Wilhelmina Drucker • Second wave of feminism (1960-1980): *breaking free of the ‘housewife syndrome’ *economic independence/women go to work *sexual freedom *new division of care responsibilities *winning political power • Third wave of feminism (1990s):*ethnic & cultural minorities become a hot topic *diversity is key

3. History of the emancipation of women - union • At first the union was predominated by men. • Together with the second wave of feminism, the union started to take notice of these developments. • Nowadays, more than 50% of our members is female and we made agreements for regulations about childcare support, parental leave and informal care. • We still fight for more support and regulations to combine care and work.

4. Labour participation by women in figures • International norm for labour participation (a job for at least 1 hour a week): The Netherlands has a high score, 70%. Only Sweden (72%) and Denmark (73%) score higher. • Percentage of working women has increased hugely in the past 20 years. • But the number of hours that women work is lower than in most other European countries. • Dutch norm for labour participation (job for at least 12 hours a week): The Netherlands scores 59% (2008). • Out of all women who have a job for at least 12 hours a week, 69% work part-time (2008).

5. Causes of part-time work: historical perspective • Until the second wave of feminism, the Netherlands had a breadwinner model with a traditional division of labour. • Income, social security and more were dependent on this breadwinner model, in which the man brought home the income. • Gradually, after 1970, the breadwinner model (single income) shifted towards a 1.5 earner model (1.5 income). • However, for many years the breadwinner model continued to be an intrinsic part of society in the Netherlands.

6. Causes of part-time work: Care for the children • Women often take responsibility for the majority of child care, although agreements are made with their partner or spouse. • Women take parental leave much more often than men. Men have more obstacles to requesting parental leave, or getting approval for it. • Both women and men feel that young children (under the age of 2) should preferably be raised by their own parents or other family members.

7. Causes of part-time work: family needing special care • 71% of volunteer care providers under the age of 65 combine care responsibilities with paid employment. • Women more frequently care for a sick parent, child or partner than men. Women between the ages of 45 and 54 are particularly like to accept this responsibility. • Only 35% of all volunteer care providers have made agreements with the employer about how to combine care and work.

8. Causes of part-time work: division of household tasks • Both women and men are in favour of an equal division of labour in the household. • However, in practice women still do the majority of household tasks.

9. Causes of part-time work: role of the employer • Organisation of labour does not allow for any flexibility. • Part-time employment saves on costs, allowing the employer to schedule employees in peak hours and slow hours.

10. Causes of part-time work: role of the government • Child care is expensive and does not sufficiently meet the needs and preferences. • Education is not sufficiently in line with preferences.

11. Trends and developments • Ageing, dejuvenation, total shrinkage • Cutbacks in health care sector • Future personnel shortages in health care, education and welfare sector; pressure on informal care is increasing • Government incentives to encourage more women to start working more hours. • However, the economic crises is a threat!

12. Do women want to work more hours? • Women often choose to work part-time, but are willing to work more hours under certain conditions. • 33% of women with a very small part-time job (1-11 hours) want to work more hours. • 50% of women with a small part-time job (12-19 hours) want to work more hours. • 25% of women with a large part-time job (more than 20 hours) and >50% of women with a full-time job would prefer to work fewer hours. • Conclusion: medium-level part-time jobs (20-27 hours) are the most popular option.

13. Conditions for working more hours • Cultural perceptions of men (and women). • Better organisation of labour, more in line with the preferences of the employee. • Child care and education in line with parents’ preferences.

14. Abvakabo FNV: Decent work & economic independence • Individual right to decide whether to work part-time or full-time. • Focus on ‘decent work’, for an honest wage and a fair income. • This means: an income that achieves economic independence.

15. Abvakabo FNV • Promotes development of cultural views:*Influence cultural views held by men and women on division of care, household and volunteer care for sick family members, in actual practice. • Encourages employers to: *Increase hours for small part-time contracts to increase economic independence. *Introduce more flexible work options (working hours, options for working from home). • Encourages the government to:* Provide affordable, good-quality child care,education and regulations to combine care and work more effective.

16. Thank you for your time! • Any questions?