People over profit
Low wages, insecurity, and a poor work-life balance: that’s the result of our neo-liberal economy. It is also the order of the day in our municipality. BIJ1 fights against all forms of exploitation and speaks out for fair pay, social security, and a safe working environment. We, therefore, do everything in our power to raise the wages in our town considerably. In addition, the use of flexible and temporary contracts must be discouraged. Social security also means protection against racism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination in the workplace.
BIJ1 makes combating labour discrimination within the municipality a top priority and holds Amsterdam companies responsible for their behaviour. Income inequality should be combated. Concerning the failed Participation law, we plead for administrative disobedience within the municipality. In addition, we will stop the witch hunt against sex workers and ensure that everyone can work safely and legally, including undocumented workers.
We propose the following points:
- A minimum wage of €14 shall become the standard in the municipality and in all bodies and companies connected to the municipality. This minimum wage also applies to minors.
- The municipality will eliminate income disparities between different gender identities within its workforce by 2025.
- The municipality (semi) government will reduce the use of flex and temporary work contracts. Temporary workers who are already employed by the municipality will be given a permanent contract.
- In the municipal government we are working on reducing the working week to 30 hours while maintaining an income up to and including average wages.
- To counteract platforms that exploit people, the local government, together with social partners, will set up a cooperative for and to support flex workers and self-employed persons.
- Young people from 'developing neighbourhoods' should be able to find a work placement more easily. This applies in particular to MBO students. Through the Master Plans for Zuidoost, Noord and Nieuw-West, more work experience places will be created in these districts.
- We will refund the personal contribution to childcare for all Amsterdam residents, with an income up to and including average wages.
- We will introduce menstrual leave in the municipality and the semi-government. We also introduce transition leave for trans people.
- Discrimination is combated: by means of mystery guests, naming and shaming, and by stopping cooperations and subsidies.
- The municipality will check the work situation of undocumented migrants more strictly for violence, coercion or other forms of abuse. Undocumented workers must be able to report abuses to the personnel department, the works council or higher up to the Inspectorate SZW. If they report it, they may not be deported from the country; the municipality will see to that.
- The municipality assures that the labour rights of sex workers are equal to those of other self-employed persons and employees.