ANALYSING INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION ORGANISATIONS FROM A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The objective of this study is to categorise the approaches of international trade union organisations with regard to gender equality policies. Considering the gender inequalities that persist in the labour market and the obstacles women encounter in union participation processes, this study examines the policies developed by international trade union organisations to address these issues. In the study, the reports, social media content and websites of organisations such as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Global Union Federations (GUFs) were subjected to analysis. The methodology employed was a literature review and content analysis, which were used to classify the approaches of international trade union organisations to gender equality under three main headings: confrontational, corrective and utilitarian. The findings indicate that the majority of trade union organisations develop corrective policies within the existing system, although confrontational approaches to gender equality remain limited. Consequently, it was determined that international trade union organisations have made progress in their gender equality policies, but that these policies are primarily aimed at correcting, rather than transforming, the existing capitalist order. This classification aims to provide an in-depth understanding of trade union organisations' approaches to gender equality.