(en) France, Alternative Libertair #222 - campaign for equal pay (fr)

The campaign "for equal pay between women and men now" began a year ago and a half. A 
meeting was held at the Labour Exchange of Saint-Denis, on October 20, attended by over 
200 women from different regions of France. ---- The National Collective for Women's 
Rights in November 2010 called for a campaign for equal pay. The first organizations to 
meet women were equal, Attac gender and the Women's House of Montreuil. Throughout the 
year 2011, and in 2012, with rallies and leafleting of four pages were organized in front 
of supermarkets or Parisian suburbs. A first meeting was held February 11, 2012 in 
Bobigny. A petition has gathered 12,000 signatures. A very large number of associations, 
union locals businesses, local unions or district then came their support to the campaign. 
[ 1 ]

Rather than ask for it there are more women entrepreneurs or executives in leadership 
companies in the CAC 40, the organizers of the campaign have decided to seek nothing less 
than the revaluation of the most feminized occupations, which - as by chance - are at the 
bottom of the social ladder.

Aides, maids, cashiers, receptionists, telephone operators, feminized professions where 
overtime is not paid where there is work on Sundays and in the evening. We must demand the 
recognition of drudgery and significant wage increases, this does not prevent to go to 
require a mix of full employment in all areas.

Sanctions against employers

In 2006, a law mandated negotiations to eliminate the gender pay gap. But Sarkozy's 
government has returned back in 2010, and the application of sanctions against 
recalcitrant employers has never been seriously considered. Wrong signals were given by 
the new government concessions are granted the MEDEF.

According to Caroline de Haas (special assistant to the Minister of Women's Rights, who 
was present), the obligation to provide a status report would soon be restored by the 
government, sanctions could be taken against employers, up to 1% of payroll, and the 
mandatory negotiations would be extended to all businesses.

But the strikes are increasing women. In human services, Is?re, women employed by a large 
association resulted in 17 days of strikes in March and April 2012. The canteen of the 
city of Paris are fighting against precarious contracts since March 22, 2012, CDD or CDI 5 
to 6 hours per day, with a salary of 600 euros. The maids of subcontracting hospitality 
led several conflicts over the past year (Novotel Les Halles, Campanile and Premi?re class 
Pont de Suresnes).

The strike lasted Voltaire Monoprix 38 days at the end of June 2012, against working 
conditions, methods of harassment and for additional hiring cashiers. Employees at Fnac 
Shopping Centre Part-Dieu are currently on strike against unfair dismissal of an employee 
- as a prelude to other PPR Group decided to remove the sign.

The Licenci'elles, fired three Swiss have also put in fight against dismissals stock, 
because their company is making huge profits and thrown into the street. Undocumented 
workers in personal services for four years struggling to get a contract. A second wave of 
strike began in late 2009 and lasted until the end of 2010, with the aim of obtaining 
payroll, being paid the minimum wage, to have paid leave, to contribute to the retirement, 
have the same rights as other employees ... The government is committed to give a receipt 
to all persons who had remained outside the regularization far.

Odile (National Collective for the Rights of Women)

[ 1 ] See the website and also CNDF