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“My dream is to have a place of work – with a contract! I want to have a stable life!”

The dream of Maria, aged 20 years, is just one of an anticipated 50 dreams of young workers to be collected during the IYCW's International Week of Young Workers, from April 24th until May Day -the International Day of Workers on May 1st 2007.

Originally from the city of Negresti, Romania, Maria says most young workers find it difficult to find a job in her home city.

“Young people accept jobs without a contract just to have money. It's difficult to survive. The cost of food and rent is really high, so many live at home with their family and rely on support from friends. They are always in debt”.

As a worker without a contract, Maria learnt of the difficulties facing many young workers in her home town.

“I was working for one year in a small shop selling food items. I worked 14 hours per day, but was paid only for 8 hours. I did my best – I cleaned, organised the stock, and built a good relationship with the customers. I hoped that one day my boss would fulfil her promise and give me a contract”

When Maria met the YCW movement, she slowly became more aware of her rights in her workplace.

“Workers don't know about the social security system. If you don't have a contract, you don't have protection or any insurance for your future life after work. I didn't know it was possible for me to be registered with the unemployment office if I didn't have a contract. My boss had all my respect until I became aware.”

"Young Women Workers demand further inclusion in a human and equal society for all"

For more than 75 years, the International Young Christian Workers (IYCW) has rganised and trained young women workers and has considered their situation as one priority of action. Women are still the victims in so many different ways of exclusion and marginalisation in our society. We are excluded as women and as workers.

«My name is Pattrisiya. I'm 22 years-old and I live in Rajagiriya, near Colombo, Sri Lanka. In our culture, it is very difficult for young women to access the world of labour as our mother and family do not want us to work outside. Therefore I feel bad as I cannot express all my skills and talents. I'm not allowed to study and can only do those jobs which are usually assigned to women, i.e. sewing, cooking and all those activities which men do not want to do. Why is it like that ? When shall the situation change?

My name is Nalini Peries. I'm 21 and live in Negombo, in Sri Lanka. I have two sisters. My mother is a housewife and my father works in the informal sector. I did some work which is generally considered "typical women's jobs" ,i.e, sewing or embroidering. I had to produce 50 pieces a day. I was paid 2 Rs a day, that is 0.01 US$. I was earning 100 Rs/day (0,50 US$), and worked without any social or legal protection.