Women's Equality Hindered by Job Loss, Says CAW Women's Director

    TORONTO, March 7 /CNW/ - Women have been faced with job loss at a higher
rate than men since manufacturing jobs began to disappear in 2002, said CAW
Women's Director Julie White.
    According to figures from Statistics Canada, 16% of women working in
manufacturing have lost their jobs over the last seven years. While men have
lost a greater number of manufacturing jobs compared to women (221,900 versus
101, 400 lost jobs), women have been hit harder.
    "This massive job loss poses a very real threat to women's economic and
socio-political equality," said White. "Manufacturing has been a sector where
women could often earn as much as their male counterparts with jobs that
provided family-supporting incomes and benefits."
    "With this global economic crisis, these jobs are disappearing at an
alarming rate across the country, and fewer and fewer opportunities exist for
women in the workforce," said White.
    According to Statistics Canada, women account for two thirds of Canadians
making minimum wage and hold 70 per cent of part time jobs, making it
incredibly difficult to qualify for Employment Insurance benefits under
current rules, should they lose their jobs.
    "We need to demand a change to EI eligibility requirements that will
provide women and their families with a safety net during these tough economic
times, as well as stringent pay equity legislation that would finally work to
close the wage gap," said White. Currently, women make only 70.5 per cent of
the male salary.
    CAW members will be participating in events across the country
recognizing International Women's Day on both March 7 and 8 (International
Women's Day).

For further information: please contact CAW Communications, Shannon
Devine, (cell) [phone] or CAW Women's Director, Julie White, (cell)
[phone]