Representation of women among the social partners of the European Union

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Miet SMET (EPP-ED, Belgium) on women's representation among the social partners. (Please refer to the document dated 09/09/02.) The Commission is asked to make a genuine start on the compilation of data and the establishment of a database relating to the representation of women among the social partners. On the basis of that data, indicators must be established with a view to increasing the influence exercised by women in social and economic decision-making bodies. The social partners themselves must compile detailed statistics relating to the ratio of men to women in their internal structures. Performance targets and deadlines must be set relating to the qualitative and quantitative representation of women both within their organisations and in collective bargaining. Finally, there must be education and gender training for both male and female staff, especially for negotiators, with a view to increasing their awareness of equal pay and opportunities.�