The first international treaty on violence and harassment in the world of work will come into force this Friday, June 25, two years after it was adopted by the International Labour Congress’ (ILO’s) International Labour Conference (ILC).
A news release by the ILO on Monday indicated that to date, only six countries namely, Argentina, Ecuador, Fiji, Namibia, Somalia and Uruguay had ratified the Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 (No 190) and that ratifying countries are legally bound by the provisions of the Convention a year after ratification.
According to the global labour organization, together with Recommendation No 206, Convention No. 190 recognizes the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment and provides a common framework for action.
To mark its entering into force, the ILO will launch a global campaign to promote its ratification and implementation. The campaign aims to explain in simple terms what the Convention is, the issues it covers and how it seeks to address violence and harassment in the world of work.
In his message to launch the global campaign, the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, said: “A better future of work is free of violence and harassment. […] I urge countries to ratify the Convention and help build, together with employers and workers and their organizations, a dignified, safe and healthy working life for all.”
“A better future of work is free of violence and harassment. Convention 190 calls on all ILO Member States to eradicate violence and harassment in all its forms from the world of work. I urge countries to ratify the Convention and help build, together with employers and workers and their organizations, a dignified, safe and healthy working life for all”, the labour expert added.
The global campaign will be launched during the ILO Action Week on Convention No 190 which kicks off today with a virtual high-level dialogue and will span through Friday.
The Action Week calls for renewed commitment from countries to ratify and implement the Convention.
Following the Action Week, the ILO will launch a guide aimed at helping constituents and other stakeholders promote and implement the Convention and Recommendation. The guide covers core principles and measures that countries can take to prevent, address and eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work, including examples of national laws, regulations and policies.
