«Strengthen awareness of the importance of gender equality as a strategic, economic and social lever, while promoting female employment». This is the objective that the Calabria Region is aiming for with the new public notice to promote the Certification of Gender Equality among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the area: the public notice, edited by the Labor Department, was presented today in a press conference in Catanzaro by the president of the Region, Roberto Occhiuto, by the vice-president and councilor for Organization, Filippo Pietropaolo, by the regional councilors for Welfare and Equal Opportunities Caterina Capponi, and for Work, Giovanni Calabrese, by the regional councilor of Parità, Tonia Stumpo, by the director of the regional Labor Department Fortunato Varone.
The notice, which is part of the 2023-2027 Employment Plan, finances up to 100% of the expenses incurred by small and medium-sized Calabrian businesses to obtain certification according to the Uni/PdR 125:2022 standard: the overall allocation of the notice audience is equal to 3 million. The recipients – it was explained in the press conference – are workers with these types of contracts: permanent or fixed-term private law employment contract, apprenticeship contract (pursuant to Legislative Decree 81/2015), cooperative members-workers . SMEs that have at least one employee and operational headquarters in Calabria are eligible to apply for the contribution. The maximum contribution varies based on the size of the company, from 2,200 euros to 9,600 euros.
«I am very happy – said Occhiuto – that there is a concrete initiative to promote gender equality through certification for companies. It would be nice if future tenders reserved for companies could include a reward for companies that certify themselves with regard to gender equality. The tender – claimed Occhiuto – will start immediately: Fincalabra is working on it, it worked on it together with the Guarantor Tonia Stumpo who I did not choose but I am happy to have confirmed it because this is a good initiative which places Calabria at the forefront on an issue about which many words and few facts are often said.”
In turn, the regional councilor for Labour, Calabrian, he specified: «We are ready to give a signal of attention towards women break down barriers of discrimination and increase female employment. The percentages are still low: there are signs of change but the path is still long. For this reason we wanted to incentivize companies that often do not spend resources in this direction, by making a significant allocation available. We are convinced that Calabrian companies will respond positively.”