Jotika Sharma, the chair of the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC), is urging women to become active members of trade unions, emphasizing that they can significantly improve the working conditions for the labor force.
During a panel discussion at the Women’s Forum at the 2024 CHOGM in Samoa on Monday, Ms. Sharma reflected on her experience in a predominantly male trade movement. She highlighted her efforts to establish women’s working committees across various unions in Fiji to foster change in workplace conditions.
“I realized we needed more women to join me in supporting the changes I envisioned,” Ms. Sharma stated. “We began by organizing women’s committees in different unions throughout Fiji, enabling women to amplify their voices from the grassroots level, at factories, and within enterprises, while also advancing to the national level.”
She acknowledged the challenges faced in shifting mindsets, especially among men, and admitted that they have not yet achieved complete success in this endeavor.