Brussels ( Brussels Morning) – The European Council adopts a resolution urging member states to endorse the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment for workplace safety.
Today, The European Council has adopted a determination inviting member states to endorse the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Violence and Harassment (ILO Convention 190).
Violence and harassment in the workplace is a general and persistent phenomenon around the world: more than one in five people have undergone violence and harassment at work, whether physical, psychological or sexual, with women being especially at risk. The Violence and harassment convention is the first international instrument to set out the lowest standards for diving work-related harassment and violence. This convention will assist in promoting decent work for all, health and safety at employment and gender equality, and will also assist to combat discrimination.
With today’s decision, the Council asks member states to ratify the components of the convention that concern in certain the improvement of the working environment to protect workers’ health and safety and protect equality between men and women in matters of employment.
Earlier, On September 18, 2023, the Council of the EU adopted a draft decision urging EU member states to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention (ILO C190). States were instructed not to delay further. The convention operated as a crucial tool in combating gender-based violence at work and supporting efforts to address the impact of domestic violence in the workplace.
On January 22, 2020, the European Commission presented a Council Decision authorizing member states to ratify ILO C190 within EU competence areas. With the EU Council adopting the draft decision, On 12 March 2024, the European Parliament passed its consent to the adoption of the Council Decision. While seven EU nations had already ratified C190 (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Italy), others had delayed ratification, citing the pending decision.
In 2019, the International Labour Conference embraced the International Labour Organization’s convention regarding the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. The convention supplies a common framework to prevent, remedy and eradicate violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based brutality and harassment. For the first time in international law, the freedom of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment is particularly recognised, including the responsibility to respect, promote and realise this right. The convention also delivers the first international definition of violence and harassment in the world of work.
The member should swiftly act to formally assume the Council Decision and member states should promptly ratify the treaty, aligning their regulations and policies accordingly. Employers should cooperate with unions and worker associations to establish workplace policies and coordinated bargaining agreements in adherence with the treaty. There is no time to waste in discovering the right to safety and dignity in the world of work for all.
The European Council’s urging of member states to endorse the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment marks a crucial step towards combating workplace violence and harassment. With the adoption of this resolution, the Council underscores the importance of promoting decent work, ensuring health and safety in employment, and advancing gender equality.
This resolution builds upon previous efforts, including the September 18, 2023, draft decision and the European Parliament’s recent consent to the adoption of the Council Decision. Now, it is imperative for member states to swiftly ratify the convention and align their laws and policies accordingly. Employers must also collaborate with unions and worker associations to implement workplace policies under the treaty. Together, we must act decisively to uphold the right to safety and dignity in the world of work for all.
