Making Jobs work for Women

Published: Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Press Release, 22 November 2012

Making Jobs work for Women

The planned changes to the social welfare system in the upcoming budget will lock women in a triple burden of care, domestic work and precarious employment if their needs are not addressed, a new report by the National Women's Council and SIPTU shows. Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection will launch the research study 'Careless to Careful Activation: Making Activation Work For Women' today, 22 November.

Orla O'Connor, Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland, said:

'Women need flexibility and support to take up work. For many women the lack of affordable childcare and inflexible working arrangements are key barriers to employment.  The planned changes in the social welfare system will only increase the pressure on women and must be halted. We need to design a social welfare system that tackles barriers to work for women and supports women on their pathway into employment.'

Dr Mary Murphy, NUI Maynooth, who conducted the research said:

'Currently women are forced into full time poorly paid jobs which locks them into a triple burden of care, domestic work and precarious employment. Any social contract between claimants and the State needs to be embedded in an ethic of care that recognises the right to work part time and regulates against poor quality and precarious work.'

She added,

'The research is clear. Most countries facilitate primary carers to work part time and also exempt those with specific care obligations from the labour market. In the longer term many of these families will benefit from an 'education first' rather than a 'work first' strategy.'

Ethel Buckley, SIPTU said;

'The ultimate goal of labour market activation is employment.  The quality of employment into which workers are activated is critical.  The evidence is that low paid employment traps workers, particularly women, in precarious jobs driving them into poverty – the working poor.  What we need to ensure is that workers are activated into decent work: work that is productive, secure and delivers a reasonable standard of living.'  

The report 'Careless to Careful Activation: Making Activation Work For Women' was funded by the Equality Authority. It recommends that the new Intreo service adopts a woman-friendly model of labour market activation that provides flexible support and training to women to move on to long term employment.

What: Launch 'Careless to Careful Activation: Making Activation Work For Women'

When: 22 November 2012, 10 am – 1 pm (registration from 9:30 am)

Where: National Women's Council of Ireland, 4th floor, 2/3 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

For more information, a copy of the report or to interview the researcher or a spokesperson, please contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, National Women's Council of Ireland. Tel. 085 858 9104

Notes to Editors:

Extracts from the interviews with women for the research:

'I had to leave work, I was working full-time but lost a stone in weight not being able to cope.'

'I would do anything, there is no such thing as a really bad job, I would do waitressing, childcare Tesco's, house cleaning – for me it is time that decides what is possible – my ideal job was 9.30-3.30 and cover for holidays.'

'I would not mind if there was like a long term plan, if there was time to let me get ready to go back to work, it would have to be gradual, 'm worried its paying lip service to all the idea of support, it will just be – 'here, take that job.'

'Rearing kids on your own – it's tough – I can't even find time to do the homework – let alone work.'