Women represent only a little more than 21% of railway companies’ workforce, and the share is even lower for some professional categories. To avoid missing out on the many benefits – for all workers – deriving from a diverse and inclusive workplace, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) has implemented a number of concrete policies and measures in order to advance toward the goal of more diversity.
Last year CER officially signed the Women in Rail autonomous agreement with the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) to promote the employment of women in this sector. This agreement made history as the first such agreement on gender equality in any sector at the EU level.
The aim of the agreement is to attract more women to the rail sector and guarantee women more protection and equal treatment in the workplace through a number of measures. In the first 12 months of the agreement's validity, 82% of CER EU member employees are already covered by the agreement due to its prompt and diligent implementation by CER member companies.
“Increased diversity and gender equality is essential to the railway sector and CER members are fully committed to this important agreement which is the first of its kind in any sector at EU level. We are proud to see such a high level of implementation within the first year of the agreement and look forward to further progress,” commented Alberto Mazzola, CER Executive Director.
