Achieving pay equity and decent work in Peru’s water sector

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(1st - 10th March 2018)

The successful implementation of this two-year project was a result of joint work between the local union SUTSELAM (and its female secretary general) affiliated to FENTAP (Federación Nacional de Trabajadores de Agua Potable de Peru), PSI´s National Women’s Committee, the company management, ILO-ACTRAV, AFLCIO-Solidarity Centre and PSI´s Project in Peru, sponsored by FNV. 

After a judicial court resolution that demanded EPSEL to set up an instrument of job classification, the union proposed the company management to carry out a gender-neutral job evaluation process as a means to draw up a pertinent proposal. With the technical assistance of a Canadian expert on Pay Equity, they set up a bipartite committee to draft the agreement. 

While studying the different job descriptions and working conditions, they became concerned about the health and safety findings. In parallel, they conducted a study of security risks, which also integrated gender perspective, with the input this time of an Italian expert.

The studies were presented as an example of good practice in the public sector not only in Peru, but also in the whole of Inter-American region. This important project ended in October 2015.

This experience raised the following points for future discussion:

• PSI´s water sectorial approach with a gender perspective
• Pay equity struggle
• Productive social dialogue at the public sector
• Defending collective bargaining rights
• Empowerment of women in trade unions

More information on the project:

• Equidad salarial y trabajo decente en la empresa pública del Agua EPSEL – Perú (in Spanish)
• Aplicación de Convenios OIT sobre equidad salarial y trabajo decente en la empresa pública del Agua EPSEL - Perú (in Spanish)