According to the survey on "Women's Representation in the Unions" by the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) the main reason of women's under- representation in unions is the "trade union mentality, and the sexist approach that exists in the society and the family."

The survey attempted to find answers to the questions, "Why are women under-represented in unions?" "What should be done for equal representation?"

The survey was carried out between 4 October-12 December through a questionnaire over the internet. A total of 1,349 people viewed the questionnaire but only 421 people answered the questions. 380 questionnaires were taken into consideration.

The average age of the participants was 36.78. 49.1 percent were men, and 51.9 percent were women. 41 percent of the participants had a work experience of less than 10 years, while 81.1 percent had a work experience of less than 20 years.

"Salaries are inadequate, we cannot self-improve. "

81.3 percent of the participants stated that salaries are inadequate. 79.4 percent said it was impossible to self-improve with the salary that they get, and 73.6 percent believe that it is not possible to follow the necessary publications for professional purposes.

68 percent of men and 57 of women were considering to have an additional job.

According to the report, the difference between the rate of people, who found salaries inadequate and those, who wanted to have an additional job, demonstrated that the teachers have done away with the need of an additional job by reducing their consumption.

88.1 percent of the participants said they viewed membership in unions as completely or partially beneficial. 49 percent viewed union membership as completely negative.

Sexist division of labour in the unions

97 participants stated that the biggest obstacle in front of equal representation of women in the union's management organs is "the sexist division of labour within the society and the family." "The lack of child care centers at workplaces" was seen as the least important reason.

When the average scores are taken in to consideration, the most important reason in front of representation is "the mentality that dominates the unions." That is followed by "the sexist division of labour within the family." Only 10.1 percent of the participants said there was a child care centre at their department.

The foremost reason for not having a child care centre was "lack of space." This was followed by, "not placing importance."

Positive discrimination and fight against sexism

50 percent of the participants thought that a solution within the unions should be found for women, who cannot participate in the activities of the union due to their obligation to take care of their children.

29,4 percent of women and 21.6 of men see sexist division of labour as a problem. While men pointed more on the lack of class consciousness of women, women demanded arrangements for child care within the unions.

31.6 percent of the participants advocated that there should be positive discrimination so that women can be equally represented in the management. 29.3 percent said there should be a fight against sexism. 23.5 percent of the participants said women's class and union consciousness should be improved.

Although 46 percent of the Eğitim Sen members are made up of women, the ratio of women in the decision-making and management organs are less than half of the membership rate. (BB)