Within trade unions, too, women are often disadvantaged. A start has already been made on this, through adjustments to the structure of the ICEM's governing bodies. One result is that, for the first time, the Congress elected two women Vice-Presidents Margaret Prosser from the UK and Rosa Novoa from Chile. A number of industrial issues are of particular concern to women, and the ICEM will give priority to tackling these. They include pay inequality, job segregation, the lack of affordable childcare, sexual harassment, inadequate training and promotion for women, the need for active employment policies that could improve women's job prospects, the need to protect homeworkers, and proper maternity protection for women workers worldwide.
Women are one of the most promising groups for new organizing, the program points out.
Trade unions have to do their part to motivate women to join unions, and once they have joined, to take over responsibility. For this, however, trade unions have to be more women-friendly. Overall, it is the people of Cuba, poor and working people, who are suffering. The ICEM will campaign actively to end the blockade. Contacts will be developed with appropriate Cuban trade unions, with a view to possible ICEM affiliation at some stage in the future.