15 Women’s employment and the recession

Submitted by TUC Women’s Conference

Congress is concerned about the threats to customer services and employment in the UK finance industry arising from the crisis in world banking as manifested in the UK.

Congress notes the job losses announced in the finance sector and urges the Government to take action against unscrupulous employers who are using the credit crunch as an excuse to cut jobs.

Congress notes that the majority of employees in UK banks are women and that many work part time and are confined to the lowest grades. Congress calls on the General Council to support the demand that employers and HMG exercise their responsibilities to ensure that aggressive job reduction strategies are not pursued within the UK banking industry. Radical job cuts will have a negative impact on the economy as well as on service to the public.

Congress is deeply concerned at the impact the economic downturn will have on vulnerable women, including pregnant workers and single parents in temporary and agency work, particularly when reckless executives are still accepting huge bonuses and high salaries but not accepting responsibility. In addition, Congress is appalled that women workers will be denied the opportunities for education and training. This is due to the funding priorities and savage cuts in further and higher education which have a disproportionate effect upon this group in particular. Congress demands that this provision is restored.

Congress welcomes the Government’s measures to help families at risk of repossession and demands measures to protect the most vulnerable workers in society by providing decent homes, tackling child poverty and fuel poverty, improving equality at work, protecting jobs and ensuring access to secure employment.

Congress therefore calls on the Government to:

i) overhaul the finance sector and introduce tighter regulation

ii) build one million new affordable homes

iii) increase public spending in public services and end privatisation

iv) support manufacturing through procurement and investment

v) create a price commission for energy and a windfall tax on profits

vi) introduce a fair tax regime to address the poverty gap

vii) restore employment and collective rights for all workers.

(this motion is exempt from the 250-word limit)

Amendment (Not Accepted)

From:  Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers

Insert new paragraph 5:

‘The Women and Work Commission’s final report notes progress in closing the pay gap has stalled. Low and unequal pay contribute to women’s and children’s poverty. Congress welcomes the Child Poverty Bill which gives new impetus to the fight against child poverty.’

Add new sub-paragraph viii) at end:

‘viii) continue tackling child poverty as a priority.’