S H A R I N G T H E P A S TDEBATING THE PRESENTC R E A T I N G T H E F U T U R E

Labour Market Participation of Women in the Netherlands

Antia WiersmaManager Knowledge Development & Policy Advice

Labour Market Participation in 2012*

Men (20-65 yrs) 79%full time 81%

Women (20-65 yrs) 65%full time 26%(Average percentage of labour market participation of women in Europe is 58.5)

*At least 12 hours per week employed

Facts & Figures

Labour Market Participation in 2011

Men with only elementary school: 63 %with university degree: 88 %Women with only elementary school: 33%with university degree: 82%

Facts & Figures

Average number of hours per week in 2011

Men 38.2

Women 26.4

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Explanations for labour market participation of women in The Netherlands

- availability and affordability of day care- possibility of family leave - part time labour possibilities

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Further look into:

1. Women in management/senior positions2. Economically dependent women

Facts & Figures

Women in management/senior positions in 2011

Corporate BoardsTop 25 companies 11.7%Top 100 companies 10.2%

Not for profit sector 30.0%Non-profit sector 32.0%(National) government 26.0%Universities (professors) 15.0%

Facts & Figures

Measures to engage more women in senior positions

Corporate Boards* Law Kalma – target 30% women on boards by end of

2015Government

* Government declaration – target 30% women by end of 2016Universities

* Affirmative action by several universities (Groningen, Delft)

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Economic IndependenceDefinition: Individual net income derived from work or entrepreneurship of at least 70 % of net minimum wage (for 2011 € 880 per month)

Men (20-65 yrs) 74%Women (20-65 yrs) 52%

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Economic dependent women

48% of women are not economically independentnet pay is lower than € 880 per month and/orthey depend on a third party for (at least part of) their income

* partner* family members* government (benefits from social security)

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Reasons for women not to work or less than 12 hours per week

1. Illness/unability to work due to illness2. Caring for family/relatives3. Early retirement 4. Educational reasons

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(Perceived) Obstacles for women with a small job or no job at all

1. Work takes up time that should be used for family/relatives2. Negative associations with day care (motherhood doctrine)3. Traditional views on role of women (at the home, raising children)4. Insecurity about one’s own capacities 5. Doubts about job possibilities in general 6. Driven by their external surroundings, not by internal motives7. Limited knowlegde of existing possibilities and regulations

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Who are these women?

1. Group who really does not want to work2. Group who really wants to work but does not know how to get a job3. Group with low self esteem4. Group of women who think no harm to step out of the labour process for a few years

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Eigen Kracht / One’s own strength- government policy since 2011- aim to enlarge labour participation of low educated women- 22 (large) municipalities/cities participate- several studies and projects – also done by Atria- Table of One project by Women Inc

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Table of One- organized by network organization called Women Inc and local partners- funded by national government/Ministery of Education, Culture & Science- in 13 cities in The Netherlands

*5 meetings*2 hours each* once a week* 7 women per table and one table buddy* 7 questions per meeting

- too early for any results

Facts & Figures

WWW.ATRIA-KENNISINSTITUUT.NL@ATRIANIEUWSWWW.TALKTOALETTA.NUANTIA WIERSMAA.WIERSMA@ATRIA-KENNISINSTITUUT.NL+31 – 20 -30 31 508