Grim Warning

UNISON warns of grim future for working women

UNISON is warning that the Government is setting up a grim future for women,
as figures reveal one million are struggling to get back into work after long-term
unemployment.

The UK’s largest union’s concerns come on the back of an IPPR think tank
report, which shows that one in four women have been out of work for more than
a year. A quarter of these women have been long-term unemployed.
The union is calling for urgent action to protect women, in the face of further
public sector job and service cuts and the rising cost of living.

Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:
“These worrying figures expose how the full force of the Government’s cuts are
really hitting women.
“The Government is driving women onto dole queues and stripping them of vital
services. Public sector cuts have played a huge part, as women make up two
thirds of these workers.
“The women who haven’t lost their job have had their pay frozen. Families’
incomes not reaching the rate of inflation is a real problem and they will struggle
to survive rising fuel and food costs.

“We know that the vast majority of single parent households are headed by
women, so when tax credits and vital services, such as play schemes and
nursery places, are cut, women are expected to cope. It is shocking that women
still have to pay the price for motherhood.

“We need urgent action to stop the number of long-term unemployed women
rising. If these women are driven away from work by the Government it will
create a real problem for the future.”