The global poverty-fighting organisation CARE International has welcomed the decision for a new International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on “Ending violence and harassment in the world of work” – following CARE’s #thisisnotworking campaign.
The agreement was made in Geneva at this year’s International Labour Conference between the ILO’s 187 member States.
During nearly two weeks of negotiations, governments, business and unions finally agreed on the need for a legally binding convention, meaning that in the future countries will have to adopt national legislation to tackle workplace violence and harassment.
Glen Tarman, Global Head of Policy and Advocacy at CARE International, said:
“CARE welcomes the agreement to establish the first-ever global treaty to end violence and harassment. It has the potential to change the lives of millions of women and girls who suffer disproportionate levels of abuse at work, often in the lowest paid and most hazardous jobs.
“That there will be an ILO Convention is a testament to the voices being raised worldwide for everyone to be safe from violence and harassment at work – from Hollywood to the world’s most exploited people. CARE and partners are proud to have played a part in campaigning for this new treaty.”
Lenny Quiroz, General Secretary of Domestic Workers Union of Ecuador, a partner of CARE said:
“I learned so much being in Geneva for this year’s ILO negotiations on violence and harassment at work and know that my advocacy needs to continue with my government. They need to know and understand us. “
The ILO, the UN agency that sets standards for the world of work, will have further consultations in the year ahead before governments gather again next June to negotiate the final text.
