Groups are asking Quebec to make “National Invisible Work Day” official, which would be held every first Tuesday of April.
It would not be a public holiday, but a day of recognition of this “invisible work”, not always recognized at its true value.
This “invisible work” is the work of caring for children, elderly parents, housework, cooking, or being a caregiver — with all the planning and organization that these tasks entail.
Invisible work is also that of being the “collaborator” in a family business, of being a female farmer or of being a volunteer.
This invisible work is more often the lot of women, but men are also affected, said Lise Courteau, provincial president of the Feminist Education and Social Action Association (AFEAS) in an interview on Monday.
The demand to make National Invisible Work Day official was first launched by AFEAS.
Establishing such a day does not amount to making it a public holiday. It is also not a question of demanding remuneration for this invisible work, insists Ms. Courteau.
“It’s work that deserves to be recognized, that we take the time to talk about it, to name it,” summarizes Ms. Courteau. It is also “work taken for granted”.
“This work, mainly carried out by women, is of great value. It relieves the government of an economic burden (in particular through the work of caregivers) and allows others — often men — to work more hours of paid work (in particular through the care of children by caregivers). mothers). It is important to value the people who do the invisible work by making their work visible. »
This demand for the recognition of a national day was the subject of a manifesto supporting the cause. It has since been supported by 150 organizations and 2,000 people.
Everything was handed over to the office of the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Martine Biron, last week, relates Ms. Courteau.
“We came away from this interview quite encouraged; we believe there is an opening,” concluded Ms. Courteau, who says she is “optimistic.”