ILO C190

In June 2019, Convention 190 by the International Labour Organization came into force. This convention is the first international treaty to recognize the right that everyone should have to be able to work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. Governments that ratify C190 are required to punt the necessary laws and policy measures into place, to prevent and address violence and harassment in the workplace. This convention represents an historic opportunity to shape a future of work, that is based on dignity and respect for all the workers.

This session is moderated by Pooja Badarinath of the Sexual Rights Initiative.

• We start of with an opening statement by Daniëlle Woestenberg, trade union executive of CNV (the Netherlands).
• In the first part of the session, there will be some examples of violence at work, and the role that trade unions can play to diminish this. Several trade unions will be talking about their work in this part: COSI (Benin), SEWA (India) and KSBSI (Indonesia).
• In the second part of the session, there will be a panel with different speakers that will discuss the process towards ratification in their country and will share their personal experiences. The speakers are:
  • A delegate from Rosalba, a trade union in Colombia.
  • Gerald Mkhomazi, secretary general of COSATU, a trade union in South Africa.
  • Ghislaine Saizonou, Head of gender, women and social protection at ITUC Africa.

We invite every participant and guest to sign a declaration that stands for the worldwide ratification of Convention 190 at the end of the session.