The vulnerability of women in the informal economy
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated every March 8, the Church for Decent Work (ETD) has launched an alert call on the precariousness of millions of workers in the submerged economy. This situation not only perpetuates inequality, but also denies basic rights and living conditions.
Alarming working conditions
The voices of the organizations that make up ETD emphasize the difficult reality that many women face in informal work. These jobs are characterized by excessively long working days, insufficient wages and dismissals without justification. The situation is further complicated for migrant women, who, due to racial discrimination and administrative barriers, are pushed to accept work without guarantees.
Additional risks for migrant women
Many of these workers not only fight unfavorable working conditions, but also face severe risk of traffic and sexual exploitation, a problem demanding urgent care.
Impact of the submerged economy in Spain
According to the data, it is estimated that up to 18% of Spanish GDP comes from the informal economy, with a disproportionate impact on women. These include home workers, laborers, carers and cleaners, who are often trapped in a precarious cycle.
Proposals for a real change
ETD has presented a series of measures to combat this situation. The proposals include the need to regularize work in sectors such as domestic, agricultural and services, as well as the strengthening of labor inspection to combat abuse. In addition, it seeks to guarantee labor and social rights for migrants, as well as provide training and training that facilitates access to quality occupations.
The role of the Church in the defense of labor rights
The Church is committed to socially and spiritually accompanying these vulnerable workers, promoting a better conciliation between working and family life through policies that facilitate this balance.
A renewed commitment to social justice
ETD calls for society to renew their commitment to social justice, saying that their struggle is for a world where each work is a source of dignity and where women are not invisible. This initiative, which began in 2014, integrates Catholic organizations such as Caritas, Justice and Peace, and the Christian Working Youth, among others.
The importance of decent work
ETD’s goal is to make visible and denounce the importance of human labor, claiming the need for decent work both in religious organizations and in society as a whole. Its mission is to ensure that labor dignity is a right accessible to everyone.