The European Construction Social Partners: Gender Equality in Theory and Practice

Linda Clarke (1, 2) , Elsebet Frydendal Pedersen (2, 1) , Elisabeth Michielsens (2, 1) , Barbara Susman (2, 1)

1 DTU - Danmarks Tekniske Universitet = Technical University of Denmark
2 UOW - University of Westminster [London]

This article explores the social partners’ role in the gender equality agenda in construction at skilled operative level. It draws on a survey of the European construction social partners that investigated the presence of women in skilled trades and the policies, collective agreements and practices that play a role in women’s integration. The responses indicate that the construction industry still displays inertia and conservatism, and that the social partners corroborate rather than counter this. They express a ‘discourse’ of gender equality, but this does not automatically lead to equal opportunity policies or programmes. The social partners have the platform to make inroads and to change the industry from within, but need further encouragement to put this on their agenda.

Mots clés: Social Sciences & Humanities

Domaines: Sciences de l'Homme et Société

Linda Clarke, Elsebet Frydendal Pedersen, Elisabeth Michielsens, Barbara Susman. The European Construction Social Partners: Gender Equality in Theory and Practice. European Journal of Industrial Relations, 2005, 11 (2), pp.151-177. ⟨10.1177/0959680105053961⟩. ⟨hal-00570935⟩