MANILA – On the World Day of Social Justice, February 20, 2024, the Philippines made history by ratifying the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This move makes the Philippines the 38th country globally and the first in Asia to ratify Convention No. 190, which is the first international labor standard addressing violence and harassment in the world of work comprehensively.
Convention No. 190, along with Recommendation No. 206, sets a framework for action, envisioning a future of work characterized by dignity and respect. Aligned with the ILO Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, these instruments emphasize the importance of a workplace free from violence and harassment, especially in the context of a human-centered recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
This convention reaffirms the fundamental right of individuals to a workplace free from violence and harassment, providing protection to all workers, including interns, apprentices, and those with employer duties or authority. It introduces a globally recognized definition of workplace violence and harassment, applicable across various sectors and economies, including urban and rural areas.
Additionally, the Convention mandates member states to develop inclusive, gender-responsive strategies for preventing and eradicating workplace violence and harassment. These strategies encompass prevention, protection, and enforcement measures, as well as remedies, guidance, training, and awareness-raising initiatives.
Recognizing the critical roles of governments, employers, workers, and their organizations, the Convention underscores the importance of social dialogue and tripartism in implementing these measures at the national level.
During the ceremony at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, M. Ernesto Bitonio, Undersecretary for Labour and Employment, highlighted the groundbreaking nature of Convention 190, emphasizing its broad scope that transcends traditional boundaries in the evolving world of work. He emphasized the convention’s call for a baseline of acceptable behavior that respects every worker equally.
Celeste Drake, ILO Deputy Director-General, welcomed the ratification, stating that it marks a crucial step toward preventing and eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. She stressed the need to make workplaces free from violence and harassment a reality everywhere, promoting social justice for all. (PR)
