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Socialist International
Women considers that maternity protection benefits not only women,
but all members of the community. It is a social value whose promotion
relies on one fundamental legal instrument: the Maternity Protection
Convention.
At the 88th session
of the International Labour Conference, to be held in June 2000,
the International Labour Office will adopt a new Convention. In
the course of the review process, women's organisations, trade
unions and other NGOs are trying to promote a stronger standard
of protection. But also present are employers' groups and some
governments which are seeking to undermine it, arguing for the
need for flexibility in the labour market.
It is now time for
society as a whole to acknowledge the reproductive and productive
role that women play, both in social and in economic terms, by
ensuring that women do not face discrimination as a result of
pregnancy and childbirth.
Socialist International
Women therefore
Reaffirms the
need, value and social importance of maternity protection
Supports and joins
other initiatives and campaigns with this objective
Appeals to governments,
trade unions and other parties taking part in the review process
to ensure that no regressive measures are adopted and that the
resulting Convention strengthens the standards of maternity protection.
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