YEAR 2011, NO.01
WOMEN AND TRADE UNOIN
July — September
WOMAN’S VISION
ELECTRONIC INFORMANT FOR WOMEN
Within the Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia (UNASM) the Women’s Trade Union Organization (SOOZ) was formed in 1999. According to the new Labour relations law, SOOZ within UNASM has been rerecorded in 2010 as separate legal entity and acts and works in accordance with the aims and tasks of UNASM. The aim of SOOZ within UNASM are: protection of women’s rights at the work place, enjoying the rights by establishing working relations, protection from abuse at the work place, social and health protection. MISSON OF SOOZ within UNASM: gender equality; women’s rights to be recognized as human rights, elimination of discrimination towards woman in the family and in the society; economic strengthening of the woman, protection from any form of violence, protection from inclusion in the women trafficking process due to labour exploitation.
Mrs. Divna ZMEJKOVSKA, President of SOOZ within UNASM
SOOZ within UNASM performs its activities through the Employment program which gives this organization the opportunity to perform its activities, initiatives and projects dedicated to promotion of women’s rights in the society. With the help of our members we succeeded in implementing the program. During its progress and extension the Women’s program faced an increased number of women who were willing to take part in the activities performed by UNASM. Within SOOZ there are several programs such as: Program for economic strengthening with the aim to support the opening of small and middle enterprises. This program is implemented through educations, their preparation and execution. Program for political strengthening that aims to support equality of women in the decision making process, creating image of genders in the society and in the political parties, in particular and increasing the democracy level in RM. The program is implemented through education (trainings), campaigns, researches. Program for support and strengthening of women that aims to offer help, support and progress of local women organizations, women groups and each woman in as individual, strengthening of their self-confidence and power , protection of women who has been victims of violence, their support through humanitarian activities, social and economic strengthening and employment. Program for promotion of peace and solving the conflicts that aims to preserving the peace in the Republic of Macedonia and the region, softening the conflict consequences, connecting people from different ethnic communities. Program for help and protection of victims that are part of the women trafficking chain due to labour exploitation in order to prevent that by getting familiarized with the problem, increasing the public awareness for the risk and consequences, as well as institutional solution of the problem. In accordance with the SOOZ Statute we have formed sections of women in the Regional offices of UNASM in Prilep, Skopje, Delchevo, Struga and Ohrid. SOOZ participates in the decision-making organs of UNASM. For its members SOOZ organizes different educational seminars, trainings, debates, workshops in order to promote and advance women’s human rights on the trade union scene in Macedonia. Today, SOOZ has established cooperation with trade unions in Macedonia and with international trade union organizations through their section of women, as well as with the non-governmental sector in our country and abroad. I salute the publication of the first edition of the electronic informant “Woman’s vision” which is prepared by the members of SOOZ and with their help and support we will make contribution to promotion and advancement of workers’ rights in the Republic of Macedonia.
NEW FEMALE BRAND IN MACEDONIA Women Unlimited Macedonia “Two years ago I promised We are here to hear your a group of business women voice, to hear what you have that I will help them in the to say and to say that OUT formation of a small netLOUD in a very amusing and work of women. My son was unusual way. Women Unlimin Macedonia to enable a ited Macedonia is an initiative network of women as that will change the concept Women Inc is in order to gather different types of of cooperation and activism women who will exchange between women in Macedonia. ideas and experiences and We are not typical organizato gain inspiration. Their tion; we are new female inclusive attitude and apSimone Filippini, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Neth- brand that along with you proach create a feeling of erlands in the Republic of Macedonia within representawill succeed to find new something fresh and attractive from Women Unlimited Macedonia tive for women who want potential and beauty in all to join, to feel comfortable that you have been doing and to take part. Thanks to This spring “Women Unlimited up to now. Our idea is so say what Women Inc I have met women Macedonia” was finally created. we want through creative, interwho otherwise I would have never Because women in Macedonia posactive and dynamic way. That’s sess unlimited number of qualities met.” why be prepared to hear a very and talents. This concept reminds me of social different concept of our program media: open for everyone: nonAnd because it is time for them to that consists of three areas: Ecodiscriminative, there are no fee expand their dreams without liminomic independence, Progress cards. That is the way to solve tations and aspirations.” in life and career and Percepthe issues related to strengthenWomen Unlimited Macedonia is an ing and emancipation that are tions and stereotypes. initiative from Macedonia that is suitable for to bring new positive energy for st At the event that took place in the 21 cenall women regardless of their age Mala Stanica, 9th of July in tury. That is or ethnic or cultural affiliation. Skopje, SOOZ made its contribua combinaWe are here together to share tion with the presence of the tion of seriour experiences and knowledge President of SOOZ, Divna ous contents that we have and to inspire other and interestZmejkovska. women to talk about topics that ing presenare important to them and that tations that everyone would like are part of their world. to experience. I wanted Macedonia to have similar network.
WE HAVE RIGHT TO LIFE WITHOUT VIOLENCE! The strength of emotions caused by boisterous reactions and provocations can lead to mental health disorders and completely ruin the individual. Day-to –day fights and repressions in a marriage fulfilled with misunderstandings and disharmony, disrespect and intolerance hinder the person form developing spiritually and in that way the individual loses the last hope due to the experienced fears and stress – children suffer which leaves marks to them. Those marks are very difficult to erase: is it worth to sacrifice yourself in a marriage for
Pg.2
the sake of the children and to live without love and harmony or to have divorce which will be better than one bad marriage? Or maybe to succeed to control yourself and try to avoid fights and to put up with that kind of insupportable situation full with conflicts. Still, the children will grow up, bit what about you – is your life going to have some value? Do you deserve better life and new beginning; recently I heard that our lives no longer matter… - children come firs- absolute true – BUT what if children witness everyday fights? Will
they grow as normal people in normal environment? NO, THEY WILL BE ETERNALLY DAMAGED. Will they be happy and will they have careless childhood when they see that their parents do not love each other anymore? – Of course NOT. I appeal to anyone who is in a situation like this not to think too longeverything has limits and as far as children are concerned even the impossible, must be done.
WOMAN’S VISION
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING What are the causes for human t ra ff icking ? There are numerous causes for it. Most often it is due to numerous political, economic, social and cultural factors. Human trafficking functions on the demand and supply principle. From one point of view, in the countries of origin there are supporting factors (unemployment, poverty, social exclusion, state of military conflicts and repression, lack of political stability, domestic violence, gender discrimination, lack of access to education and information, etc. ) that influence on people to decide to im-
migrate in some other city or state in search for better life, or, simply, in a fight for survival. On the other hand, in the developed and rich countries, i.e. countries of destination, there is an enormous demand for cheap products, cheap work force and cheap services (main factors). Organized criminal groups find their interest and possibility for making money by relating supply and demand. What are the consequences? Do we have victimization instead of protection of victims? Human trafficking has negative consequences for physical and mental health of the victim. As longer the victims are under their superiors control, the more severe are the consequences of their trauma. Human trafficking victims were abused and exploited in specific conditions
that may result in short term and long term, easy or severe, physical or physical injuries, diseases and infections, sexually transmitted diseases in particular, HIV, and sometimes it may result in disability or death. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, alienation, disorientation, aggression and concentration difficulties are direct consequences of long term traumatic experiences that human trafficking victims have been through. Studies show that injuries and traumas acquired during the trafficking process may linger long after the person is being saved from that situation, especially if the help , support and counseling are unsafe.
LABOUR LAW AND OTHER SIMILAR LAWS IN MACEDONIA LAW ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN The aim of this law is to promote the principle for offering equal opportunities for women and men in the political, economic, social, educational area , as well as in other areas of social life. This initiative is an obligation for the whole society and is a way to remove the obstacles for establishing equality between men and women through prevention and equal treatment , as well as introducing conditions for equal
participation of men and women in all the aspects of the social life. According to this or any other law gender discrimination is forbidden, in the private sector in the area of employment and labour, education, social security, culture and sport Equal opportunities of men and women means promotion of equal participation of women and men in all areas of the public and private sector, equal status and treatment
in exercising the rights and in the development of their individual potentials through which they contribute to the social progress, as well as equal benefits from the outcome. (continues in the next edition of Woman’s Vision)
writes: Goce BLAZESKI Legal practitioner
UNASM highly ranked according to the Women’s network NIS According to the Women’s network NIS and ITUC PERC-SEE, SOOZ within UNASM is on the high 2nd place referring to the representativeness of women in trade union organizations with 98.7 percent. We would like to highlight that UNASM promotes and supports gender representativeness in trade Y E A R 20 1 1 , N O . 0 1
union organizations stressing the importance of the women being part of the policy making process. At the same time UNASM stands for promotion of women’s rights as well as for the fight against discrimination and mobbing at the work place. The criteria due to
which UNASM is part of this list made by Mrs. Jasna Petrovikj is the woman’s role in the decision making process as well as women’s representation in trade union movement in the Republic of Macedonia
Pg.3
Thoughts about life :
• „Life is one long process of getting tired. “— Samjuel Batler TRADE UNI ON ORG ANI ZATI ON OF W O M E N ’ S O R G A N I Z AT I O N WI T H I N U N AS M
• „If life was beautiful we wouldn’t be born crying” - Sand
St. Vasil Gorgov no.39 1000 Skopje Republic of Macedonia
• „Life is the last habit we would like to lose because it was the first we have aquired“ —Dumas
phone number: +38923230307
CONTENTS
SOS line for mobbing victimes help +38923220252
Women and trade union
1
New female brand
2
Life without violence
2
Human trafficking causes and consequences
3
Law on equal opportunities
3
UNASM highly ranked according to NIS
3
Advertisment
4
e-mail. ozunasm@gmail.com publisher: Divna ZMEJKOVSKA publishes: SOOZ within UNASM editor: Rubincho ARIZANKOSKI
Electronic informant UNASM newsletter E- mail. unasmbilten@gmail.com
www.ozunasm.weebly.com
Public call for National award for the best socially responsible practices of Macedonian enterprises in 2010
The Ministry of economy and the Coordinative body for social responsibility, on 27th July announced a public ca on: ” National award for the best socially responsible practices of Macedonian enterprises in 2010” . This year an award will be given in five categories: Award in the field of labour relations; Award in the field of ethical management; Award in the field of market relations
(suppliers and consumers); Award in the field of environment; Award in the field of investing in the community. The aim of this award is to promote the positive practices of responsible action of enterprises and to serve as inspiration for further promotion of social responsibility. In its programs, UNASM is interested in promotion of social responsibility in Macedonian enterprises. Namely, the social responsibility is a concept which is very close to our overall commitments and therefore UNASM will take active part in the promotion of social responsibility. The dead-
line for application submissions is 20th September, while the awards will be allocated on 26th October, 2011. Additional information regarding the application documents can be found on the following web page http:// www.economy.gov.mk and the blog http:// unasmpp.weebly.com/ .