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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA), its affiliate in the motor industry has called on employers to put measures in place to end violence, harassment and discrimination in South African workplaces and for employers to start making real progress in levelling the gender-based playing fields.
 
 “Equality and non-discrimination are key elements of fundamental human rights, but as employers and society we are failing dismally at protecting and uplifting vulnerable, marginalised groups,” says Martlé Keyter, MISA’s CEO Operations.
 
 The marginalised position of women in the workplace remains largely unchanged while gender-based    stereotyping and discrimination prevail.
 
 "Promoting gender equality and advancement of women requires an integrated approach including capacity building, advocacy, campaigns and women's empowerment in all its facets; the inclusion of men and youth in the gender equality agenda is a strategic intervention that will accelerate transformation of gender relations" said FEDUSA Social Justice Officer Brenda Modise.
 
"FEDUSA is therefore planning to join the International Trade Union Confederation in supporting the International Labour Organization Convention on gender supplemented by a Recommendation on Ending Violence and Harassment in the World of Work".
 
According to Stats SA, women accounted for 43,8% of South Africa’s total employment in Q2 of 2018. “Yet only 32% of managers in South Africa were women, while women continue to dominate the Domestic worker and Clerical occupations and men continue to dominate the rest,” Keyter notes.
 
 “Employers have an obligation to put real and effective plans and measures in place to end gender-based stereotyping and to ensure women are protected against harassment and violence in the workplace.
  “The world of work must be free of violence and harassment. It must be a safe environment that preserves every person’s human rights,” believes Keyter.
 
 MISA, the fastest growing trade union serving the South African motor retail sector, has called on employers to prioritise the allocation of resources, establish goals, targets and indicators to ensure that the social and economic needs of the most marginalised communities and workers are being fairly addressed.
 
 Violence against women
 Furthermore, violence against women remains a serious problem in South Africa.
 
 Crime statistics released earlier this year revealed a 53% increase in sexual offences against women between 2016 and 2017.
 
 “Especially in marginalised communities, women continue to live in fear,” notes Keyter.
 “It does not matter whether we are women or men, disabled, living with HIV/AIDS, black or white or gender-nonconforming, we are all equal and deserve equal opportunities in the workplace and in society,” concludes Keyter.

Issued by FEDUSA And MISA