Unions push for safer workplaces

Trade unions worldwide marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 with renewed calls for governments to ratify and implement ILO Convention 190 (C190) and Recommendation 206 (R206).

According to a statement by the International Trade Union Confederation, these measures aim to combat workplace violence and harassment through transformative reforms in laws, policies, and workplace agreements.

It noted that the International Labour Organisation C190, adopted in 2019, was the first international treaty addressing the right to a workplace free from violence and harassment.

“Despite progress, the International Trade Union Confederation noted ongoing barriers, as highlighted in its 2024 Global Rights Index, which documented a rise in workers’ rights violations globally,” ITUC said.

The ITUC General Secretary, Luc Triangle, emphasised the urgency of tackling gender-based violence, which disproportionately affects women and LGBTQI+ workers.

“All workers – informal or formal, migrant or national deserve protection from all forms of violence and harassment,” Triangle stated.

Triangle called for governments to collaborate with unions and employers to create safer, more equitable workplaces.

“During these 16 days of activism, let’s build workplaces that are fairer and safer. It’s time for everyone to get the dignity and respect they deserve,” he added.

The ITUC also released a new report, Unions in Action to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, celebrating five years since the adoption of C190. The report highlighted significant progress made by unions worldwide, driven largely by women leaders advocating for gender-equal, violence-free workplaces.

As the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration approaches in 2025, unions are urging increased investment in violence prevention and funding for public services.

However, the ITUC stressed that greater collaboration is essential to address the systemic challenges that undermine workers’ safety.

The ITUC, in partnership with the C190 Arc Task Force, launched a new website showcasing strategies for ratifying and implementing C190. These include examples from trade unions and women’s rights organizations worldwide working toward safer, violence-free workplaces.

He further stated that the global campaign underscored the importance of gender-transformative laws to prevent violence, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

“With many countries lagging in ratification, the call to action during the 16 Days of Activism resonates as a crucial step toward achieving gender equality in the workplace,” Triangle added.