- Conference
- 2016 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 14 October 2015
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
The government has announced that, by the end of 2017, they will conduct a referendum on whether the UK should remain within the EU.
Conference acknowledges that years of recession, soaring unemployment, and lacklustre leadership have left the public with little faith in the EU and its ability to improve the lives of ordinary working women. In addition the imposition of austerity policies on EU member states, most notably in Greece despite the wishes of that country’s democratically elected government elected on an anti-austerity platform, has strengthened the perception of the EU as being remote, unaccountable and undemocratic.
Further, the UK media have done much to damage the reputation of the EU and its workings, by mocking the institution, mis-reporting and exaggerating the impact of legislative change.
Nevertheless in the 1990s the European Union introduced significant social and employment policies that gave new rights to European workers and acted as a counterweight to the liberalising policies of the EU’s internal market.
Conference therefore believes that it is in our members’ interests to have a balanced picture of the impact of EU membership on our legislation, and to be aware of more positive actions, such as:
• Whilst there is still far to go, tens of thousands of women in the UK have seen fairer pay as a result of EU legislation on equal pay;
• Maternity and parental rights have been enshrined for workers across Europe;
• Women workers are over-represented in the vulnerable workforce – EU law provides protection for all workers, whether full time or part time, temporary or permanent, in house or agency;
• Health and safety legislation includes protection from dangerous machinery and chemicals used primarily by women in catering and cleaning – previously ignored in comparison to more obviously dangerous industries such as construction.
• Women experience multiple discrimination in their everyday lives – EU law provides protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, sexual orientation and disability.
Conference therefore calls upon the national women’s committee to work with the NEC, international committee and other relevant bodies to:
• raise awareness of the impact of EU legislation on our members’ lives and its contribution to equality and women’s rights;
• produce a simply What’s Europe Ever Done for Us infographic, to raise awareness of the impact of EU legislation on UK women’s rights and lives.
• ensure that the debate around the UK’s membership doesn’t solely focus on the ‘business case’ but reflects the role that EU social, employment and equality legislation still plays in protecting working women.