European farmers’ union demands equal rights for female workers
Copa’s Women’s Committee president Adriana Bucco said women had reached 47% of the total farm workforce in Portugal, 40% in both Italy and Austria and 30% in Denmark.
“Their work must consequently be recognised,” she said, calling on the European Commission to conduct further studies and gather more precise data.
Ms Bucco said women should also be treated equally in terms of social status and should receive adequate social insurance.
These are necessary so that women can obtain social cover and have access to subsidies granted to the farm.
“Training and education is also essential for women farmers so that they can be innovative and ensure farms adapt to new developments,” she said.
Ms Bucco was speaking at a seminar in Caceres, organised by the Spanish EU Presidency to highlight the role of women in farming and in the sustainable development of the rural environment.
Pekka Pesonen, secretary general of Copa-Cogeca, which represents European farmers and agri co-ops, said men and women should be treated equally on decision-making boards.
“The nature of agriculture work is such that it entails a seven-day working week, so measures for sickness and maternity leave replacement must be in place to cover this,” he said.