OECD Lists Wage Gap Between Men and Women in 21 Countries

The wage gap between South Korean male and female workers is the highest among key industrialized economies, a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) showed. The report, released to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, revealed that of the 21 OECD countries checked, South Korea had the widest disparity between genders

According to the findings, women employed as regular workers in South Korea received, on average, 38 percent less than their male counterparts Japan came in second in terms of wage disparity with women making 33.0 less, compared to men, followed by Germany, Canada and Britain. The difference in Germany stood at 23. while those for Canada and Britain reached 21.0 percent each.

For the United States, the average wage gap was 19.0 percent, with Belgium having the least disparity with a male employee earning 9.3 percent more than a woman worker. The Paris-based OECD is made up of 30 members, with South Korea joining the organization in 1996.

Ireland Promises to End Pay Cuts to Avert Strikes

The Irish government agreed with trade union leaders on March 30 that it will not cut public sector pay further for the next four years to try to avert strikes and end work-to-rule protests. Lower-paid civil servants, teachers and hospital staffs have threatened to strike in protest against the government’s fiscal reforms which , they say, have caused real hardship.

The head negotiator for the trade unions’ umbrella group, said: the deal offered a real chance to end the disruption, which has consisted of refusing to answer phones and early office closures, following on from November’s one-day all-out strike. He expected all unions would put the agreement to a ballot vote.

A statement by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said: “The outcome presents everybody in the public service with the real possibility that we can find an alternative to the industrial conflict that has dominated the landscape in recent months.” Public service salaries were reduced by 5 to 15 percent to achieve a quarter of the 3.58 billion pounds ($5.44 billion) saved in last December’s budget.

Argentine Port Workers End Strike after Accepting Deal

A strike that had given global soy prices sharply higher value ended, as Argentine port workers reached an agreement on March 31 with exporters of one of the world’s leading grain suppliers. The agreement includes a 27 percent increase in dollar terms in cargo fees that a port worker’s cooperative charges to load and unload grains and a similar pay raise for the workers.

Dockworkers went on strike last week, demanding that exporters pay about double the current rate, as Argentine’s soy harvest begins. The strike has halted an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 tons of grains, soys and soy derivative shipments each day. The soy harvest does not enter its heaviest phase until the end of April.

Analysts forecast Argentina to account for 55 percent of global soyoil exports and 40 percent of world soymeal exports in the October 2009 to September 2010 marketing season. Consumer prices for soy could rise 20-30 percent this year. Unions, ranging from truck drivers to public school teachers, have sought double-digit pay increases. Argentina is the world’s No. 3 soy supplier.

Jamaican Workers Propose 10-20% Minimum Wage Increase

Trade unions and the Jamaica Household Workers; Association (JHWA) are battling for a 10-20 percent increase in the national minimum wage. Other groups have recommended increases of up to 50 percent, in the annual consultations that wrapped up in mid-March, after three weeks of meetings in several cities, staged by the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission.

The present minimum wage is now $4.070 per week for a 40 hour workweek and $6.050 per week for industrial security guards. Vincent Morrison, president of the National Workers Union (NWU) said his group had recommended a “livable wage, that is a wage well above the poverty line.” A livable wage would see automatic adjustments each year in line with inflation, Morrison said.

The Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) has yet to submit its proposal to the commission. Brenda Cuthbert, chief executive officer of JEF, said that the employers’ lobby would make its submission before the April 1 deadline.

Five-Month Strike in Benin Ends with Big Wage Boost for Teachers

Teachers in Benin’s three state universities have suspended industrial action that lasted for five months. They resolved to return to work this month following a formal commitment made by President Boni Yayi to grant them a 50 percent pay raise and other financial benefits. The educators angrily embarked on a strike after the government had said it had no money to accede to any of their demands put forward last summer because of the “economic meltdown.”

In the first week of October, the start of the academic term, lecture rooms, laboratories and libraries remained closed. Despite appeals from associations of parents and other groups, the lecturers refused to shift their ground. The government finally worked out a plan that would grant the educators most of their important demands.

The government’s signed order contains 105 clauses, including one that grants 59 percent salary increases for academics, in accordance with pay levels, from graduate assistance to full professor. A new pension plan comprising monthly contributions from the staff and the government is to be instituted.

The Republic of Benin is a country in West Africa, Population: about 8.5 million; has held multi-party elections since 1991. Economy: agriculture products, especially coffee.

New Zealanders Lured by $74,000 Afghanistan Jobs

It’s hot, back-breaking work in Spartan surroundings, thousands of miles from the family and home comforts. But the thrill of adventure and the lure of no-expenses $74,000 salary to load and unload military cargo planes in Afghanistan is attracting New Zealander applicants. Other applicants have come from Australia, Britain, Ireland, Lebanon, South Africa, France, Samoa and the United States.

The U.S. contractor looking for workers, DynCorp International, employs more than 20,000 people worldwide and has 60 years’ experience contracting to the U.S. military. Simone Tozer, a recruit manager, said that initially, the work will involve lifting 25-kilogram loads on and off cargo planes in Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second largest city. The camp is isolated and far from home, but comfortable, with Internet, libraries, gyms and good food, Ms. Tozer said.

“We are careful to make everybody aware they will be working in a war zone and that it is not your normal 9-5 weekly job,” Ms. Tozer said. Depending on what skills are needed, successful applicants may be deployed to other parts of the region to use their personal skills. “There are drains to dig and pipes to lay.” Applicants are all insured against death, injury or accidents.

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