Le potentiel égalitaire de la concertation sociale belge (1950-2024). Une perspective féministe de la reproduction sociale dans les négociations collectives genrées

Abstract

Le potentiel égalitaire de la concertation sociale belge (1950-2024). Une perspective féministe de la reproduction sociale dans les négociations collectives genrées RÉSUMÉ Adoptant une perspective féministe de la reproduction sociale, l'article examine l'impact de la concertation sociale entre syndicats et employeur·e·s sur l'égalité de genre en Belgique depuis les années 1950. L'étude s'appuie sur les avis et les conventions collectives du Conseil national du travail et les accords interprofessionnels du «Groupe des dix». L'analyse longitudinale met en évidence que les résultats de la concertation sociale ont, en premier lieu, répondu aux besoins de main-d'oeuvre pour la production économique. Ainsi, durant les périodes de croissance économique, des mesures ont été adoptées pour intégrer la main-d'oeuvre féminine, dont le coût est plus faible et la flexibilité plus élevée. Ces mesures concernent notamment l'égalisation partielle des droits des travailleuses et la collectivisation du travail de soins. En revanche, durant les périodes de chômage croissant, les mesures adoptées ont surtout contribué à «re-familiser» le travail reproductif, c'est-à-dire à rediriger le travail de soin collectivisé vers les familles, et principalement vers les femmes. ABSTRACT The egalitarian potential of the Belgian social dialogue (1950-2024). A feminist perspective on the social reproduction of gendered collective bargaining Adopting a feminist social reproduction perspective, the article examines the impact of social dialogue between trade unions and employers on gender equality in Belgium since the 1950s. The study is based on the opinions and collective agreements of the National Labour Council and the biannual intersectoral agreements of the Group of Ten. The longitudinal analysis shows that the outcomes of social dialogue have mainly responded to the labour force needs of economic production. During periods of economic growth, provisions were adopted to integrate women in the labour market, as their labour is cheaper and more flexible. These provisions included the partial equalisation of women workers' rights and the collectivisation of reproductive care work. In contrast, during periods of rising unemployment, the provisions adopted have mainly contributed to the refamilisation of reproductive care work, mainly directed at women. English title: The egalitarian potential of the Belgian social dialogue (1950-2024). A feminist perspective on the social reproduction of gendered collective bargaining English abstract: Adopting a feminist social reproduction perspective, the article examines the impact of social dialogue between trade unions and employers on gender equality in Belgium since the 1950s. The study is based on the opinions and collective agreements of the National Labour Council and the biannual intersectoral agreements of the Group of Ten. The longitudinal analysis shows that the outcomes of social dialogue have mainly responded to the labour force needs of economic production. During periods of economic growth, provisions were adopted to integrate women in the labour market, as their labour is cheaper and more flexible. These provisions included the partial equalisation of women workers’ rights and the collectivisation of reproductive care work. In contrast, during periods of rising unemployment, the provisions adopted have mainly contributed to the refamilisation of reproductive care work, mainly directed at women.

The egalitarian potential of the Belgian social dialogue (19502024). A feminist perspective on the social reproduction of gendered collective bargaining Adopting a feminist social reproduction perspective, the article examines the impact of social dialogue between trade unions and employers on gender equality in Belgium since the 1950s. The study is based on the opinions and collective agreements of the National Labour Council and the biannual intersectoral agreements of the Group of Ten. The longitudinal analysis shows that the outcomes of social dialogue have mainly responded to the labour force needs of economic production. During periods of economic growth, provisions were adopted to integrate women in the labour market, as their labour is cheaper and more flexible. These provisions included the partial equalisation of women workers’ rights and the collectivisation of reproductive care work. In contrast, during periods of rising unemployment, the provisions adopted have mainly contributed to the refamilisation of reproductive care work, mainly directed at women.