“Iguala.cl” launched to ensure gender equality in Chile
16 Aug 2007
“Chile - Growing in Equality" is the name of the ethical campaign launched by the government of Michelle Bachelet to advertise its programme "Iguala.cl". the programme is aimed at bringing about equality between men and women and urge upon the private companies to voluntarily comply with the gender equity standards for their employees. The campaign for good employment practices, which was launched Tuesday, includes radio spots and advertising on public transport.
The project is in harmony with the Quito Consensus, signed by 33 countries at the 10th Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, held Aug. 6-9 in the Ecuadorean capital and attended by Bachelet.
The Iguala.cl programme comprises of three broad approaches. The first involves certification of public and private companies that voluntarily establish action plans and programmes for good employment practices based on gender equality.
The second part is related to the dissemination of employment related information to job aspirants. National Women’s Service (SERNAM) has already provided an internet portal, http://www.iguala.cl/, which helps women seeking employment. It is also creating a plan to motivate companies to expose the areas of technical and professional work to the women workers, traditionally occupied by men.
It will also work with the main education and training centres to improve their technical and professional courses for young women, especially courses in which women have not traditionally taken part.
As its third line of action, SERNAM will support the rest of the government offices in complying with the Code of Good Employment Practices on Non-Discrimination for the Central State Administration, decreed by Bachelet in 2006, which is also being adopted by public and private companies.
Though surprising, only 35 percent of Chile’s workforce is made up of women, one of the lowest proportions in Latin America. Women are paid on an average 20 to 50 percent of men’s wages.
The Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007, by the World Economic Forum, ranks Chile 27th out of 125 countries studied, but when looking at women’s access to high-ranking positions in the world of work, Chile plunges to 110th place.
SERNAM Minister Laura Albornoz informed that companies who wished to participate in the certification process should contact SERNAM to carry out a joint diagnosis of the company in seven areas.
These are: hiring of personnel, career development and access to training, gender balance in managerial positions, working conditions, respect for and protection of maternity rights, reconciliation of work responsibilities and family obligations, and preventive and disciplinary measures against sexual harassment and abuse of authority.
Once the state of each of these areas is known, the companies must design an improvement plan to be completed in two years, with advice from SERNAM. If the plan is carried out properly, the government will issue its "Iguala" seal to certify that the company conforms to gender equality standards, which would impart huge social recognition to those companies.
The model that is being implemented in Chile fall in line with those followed earlier in Australia, Spain, Ireland and Germany as well as in Latin America. Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay have had successful experiences and Chile is trying to work on the certification model with them to have parity in standards among countries in the region.
"This issue is also being negotiated with Australia, because it will form part of the free trade treaty that Chile will shortly be signing with that country," said the Minister.
The first company to adopt the Code of Good Employment Practices decreed by Bachelet was Chile’s leading business association, the Confederation of Production and Commerce (CPC), including its six productive branches, Albornoz said. Two state companies, the National Copper Corporation (CODELCO) and the Banco Estado (State Bank), have also adopted the Code. There are reports that 40 more companies would be signing an agreement with the government this month, committing themselves to participate in the good practices programme, with a view to receiving the gender equity seal in two years’ time.
Iguala.cl is one of several government initiatives under way that seek to improve women’s access to the world of work. Other approaches range from the building of numerous public day care centres to a draft laws reforming the pension system as well as seeking right to equal pay, which are currently being debated in Congress.
Resource: www.ipsnews.net
Released on: 16 August 2007
