Gender inequality is present in all the structures of our society. It is an idea that should be remembered time and again, even more so in this week when we celebrated International Women’s Day. In the following lines we will talk about gender inequality in labor relations in companies. 96% of childcare work permits are taken by women. In addition, 92% of labor cuts have been made for women in the Basque Country. This has serious consequences for the future of women.

One example: The case of five Elecnor workers in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Four of them were on short days and in December they were given a difficult opportunity: Transfer to Getafe (Madrid) or dismissal. Although they received a small amount of compensation, they lost their jobs. “They didn’t want us to work there; they complained for a long time saying there were many days of work leave and many long-term casualties. That’s why we’ve been taken out of the middle,” the affected women say. They are aware that theirs have been “hidden layoffs”, a task that other people who do not have family responsibilities in Vitoria-Gasteiz continue to do.

Although it is a recognised right, in practice conciliation remains an obstacle in labour relations. And it's almost always the woman who suffers. We must make a profound change in labour relations in order to eliminate this inequality, which means that we must change the policies of governments. As Emakunde’s message points out, “inequality is not born by itself, it is done”. Let’s make equality from a young age, family, school, university, governments, institutions, workplaces, the media, advertising agencies…