Whether the various workers' unions in the USA, or the latest strike by women in Iceland, the issue is that lots of people have again !!! been being underpaid for their skills and time working!
"International humanitarian law must be upheld, the suffering has to stop now and humanity must prevail," Iceland Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said on X, formerly known as Twitter..."
"..Women earn about 21% less than men, according to the organizers, and lower wages in Iceland are most distinct among immigrant women, women who work in sanitation and with children, disabled people and elderly people.
This is the seventh time since 1975 that Icelandic women have gone on strike, though Tuesday marks the first 24-hour strike since then. More than 90% of women went on strike in 1975, which paved the way for Vigdís Finnbogadóttir to serve as the world's first elected female president, according to the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Other strikes happened in 1985, 2005, 2010, 2016 and 2018 to protest the gender pay gap and sexual violence and support the #MeToo movement.
"Their activism for equality has changed Icelandic society for the better and continues to do so today," Iceland President Guðni Jóhannesson said.
I find it sad that women have had to do this 7 times, and the disparity continues.Eliza Reid, an author and Jóhannesson's wife, referenced the 1975 strike in the out-of-office message she posted Tuesday.
"Almost half a century later, equality is still far from being achieved, hence this reminder," she said. "I will therefore not be responding to emails today. You can expect to hear from me tomorrow when I am back at work."
I never quite know how to feel about strikes. I worked for a quarter of a century caring for disabled youngsters and would never have considered going on strike, since it would only inflict hardship upon those I cared for ("cared for" in both senses - to look after and to be fond of). In fact I often worked without pay to give the children opportunities of which they would otherwise be denied. But, as you point out, the caring professions are among the most poorly paid. I just wish there was a better way of bringing about justice and equality - after all we've been striking for decades and we don't seem much closer to fairness.
ReplyDeleteYes, and when hearing how many strikes happen, for all the same causes, it shows they are somewhat ineffective. Businesses probably now have a "plan for strikes" somewhere, in order to keep making profits.
DeleteI would like the strikes to come to an end, workers should get paid a decent living wage. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteGood wishes there.
Delete...labor since slavery has ben exploited.
ReplyDeleteThat says a lot. And means a lot when considering economic disparities.
DeleteBy some stroke, I've never been in a strike.
ReplyDelete