On 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – global trade unions join forces and call on governments to ratify ILO Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 on violence and harassment in the world of work without delay.
In June 2019, the centennial Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted Convention 190 (C190) and accompanying Recommendation 206 (R206) on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. This historic treaty is the first to define violence and harassment. It recognises the right of each and every person to a world of work free from violence and harassment and puts special emphasis on addressing gender-based violence and harassment. Applying to every sector and all workers, irrespective of their contractual status, the Convention is the result of many years of tireless work on the part of trade unions.
David Edwards, Education International General Secretary, stated: “We must mobilise to convince all governments to ratify this historic Convention immediately. But we cannot stop there. We must ensure it is implemented properly so that violence and harassment in the world of work become a thing of the past.”
During their meeting on 19-21 November, the Education International Executive Board adopted a resolution applauding the adoption of C190 and R206 and calling on all governments to “take action to ratify C190 as a matter of urgency”. The Executive Board Resolution also encourages all Education International member organisations to actively campaign for the ratification of C190 at all levels and in all countries around the world.
Today, on the international Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, global trade unions have joined forces and issued a statement calling on all governments to ratify C190 without delay.
In education, the Convention will work to address the violations of students’ right to quality education, as well as the right of education workers to a decent and safe working environment.