Chile’s female players are newly protected under labour law and are hoping their official status can help the game thrive in South America
The Chilean players’ association officially became a union in December, and its president, Javiera Moreno, believes there needs to be women’s representation in players’ unions around the world.
“We want this movement to become massive,” says the former Universidad Católica captain. “Our goal is to spread this to other countries. I don’t know if in other places the path will be to have a specific union for women. This was needed here, but I think there needs to be at least representation of women’s players within every country’s footballers’ union.”
The National Women’s Football Players Association (ANJUF) has existed for nearly a decade, but in December its legal status changed. Under labour law, clubs and the federation are now obliged to engage in dialogue and negotiate contracts, benefits and other labour issues collectively.
Although Moreno believes ANJUF’s relationship with clubs and the federation was already collaborative, sporting institutions are now legally obliged to listen to them.
