The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has welcomed commitments made by Argentina, Finland, Spain and Uruguay to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190).
All have signalled their intention to seek approval from their respective legislative assemblies.
Spain announced its commitment at a meeting on March 2, between ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder and the country’s Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz.
Once approved, countries will need to deposit the instrument of ratification with the ILO headquarters in Geneva.
These will be the first since the government, union and employer representatives adopted Convention 190 and ILO Recommendation 206 at the International Labour Conference, in June 2019.
These international labour standards recognise the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.
Director of ILO’s Conditions of Work and Equality Department, Manuela Tomei, says “we welcome the commitment made by these governments to ratify Convention 190. The Convention provides the possibility of forging a future of work based on dignity and respect, free from violence and harassment. We urge all governments to ratify.”
The Convention defines violence and harassment as “a range of unacceptable behaviours and practices” that “aim at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm”.
It covers everyone who works, including interns or apprentices and persons who exercise the duties or authority of an employer and applies to the public and private sectors, the formal and informal economy, as well as urban and rural areas.
The Convention will enter into force 12 months after two member States have ratified it. The Recommendation, which is not legally binding, guides how the Convention should be applied.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day on Sunday, ILO has been focusing on issues affecting women in the world of work.
