The ILO Treaty on Violence and Harassment in Workplaces provides the first international definition of violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment.
ILO Treaty on Violence and Harassment in Workplaces to Come into Force on June 25
New Delhi (ABC Live India): The International Labour
Organization confirmed on Monday that the first ILO Treaty on Violence and Harassment in Workplaces is all set
to come into force on June 25th 2021.
It is mention-worthy that on 21 Jun 2019 the ILO’s International
Labour Conference (ILC) has adopted R206 - Violence and Harassment
Recommendation, 2019 (No. 206) and same has been submitted to competent
authorities of members country including India.
India is a Member of ILO since 28.06.1919 and has submitted a list of national legislations
complying with the various ILO commitments and not ratified the treaty despite the fact that India has already enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
To date, six countries have ratified the Violence and
Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) – Argentina, Ecuador, Fiji, Namibia, Somalia
and Uruguay. Ratifying countries are legally bound by the provisions of the
Convention a year after ratification.
The ILO released a press note before launching a global
campaign to promote its ratification and implementation.
The press release says that 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.
It provides the first international definition of
violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence
and harassment.
Violence and harassment at work takes a range of
forms and leads to physical, psychological, sexual and economic harm. Since the
adoption of the Convention, the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the issue, with many
forms of work-related violence and harassment being reported across countries
since the outbreak began, particularly against women and vulnerable groups.
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.
“A better future of work is free of violence and
harassment,” said Guy Ryder, the ILO Director-General in his message to launch
the global campaign.
“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 global campaign will be launched during the ILO Action Week on
Convention No. 190, which takes place 21-25 June 2021.
The Action Week calls for renewed commitment from
countries to ratify and implement the Convention.
The Action Week begins on 21 June with a virtual high-level
dialogue. The speakers will include the ILO
Director-General, Ministers of Labour from Argentina and Madagascar, and
representatives of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the European Commission and the
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Following 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.