International Labour Organisation on gender based harassment

Marking its 100th anniversary, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) dedicates its 108th annual session on ways to tackle harassment and violence in the workplace.

Out of all the organisations set up in Geneva under the League of Nations, only the ILO has survived the wrath of World War II. To mark this special occasion, the conference is conveyed under the theme: “Building a better future with decent work”.  The ILO delegates will deliberate upon future challenges in the world of work and a convention on harassment and violence in the workplace to enhance worker protection.

The ILO director-general Guy Ryder said that “ by adopting new international labour standards to stop violence and harassment at work, this conference will … strike a blow against abuse which should offend the basic standards of decency of each and every one of us.”

According to Ryder, employers all around have voiced concern about the convention on harassment. This includes questions like if an enterprise should be responsible for abuses that happen outside the workplace.

Provisional Draft

The provisional draft of the convention refers to abuses that occur during “work-related trips or travel, training, events or social activities”. The provisional draft also defines “violence and harassment” as “a range of unacceptable behaviours and practices… that aim at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm”.

The idea is to improve the quality of working lives, close gender gaps and reverse the damage caused by global inequalities. Once ratified by member states this convention will become legally binding.

For the historic centenary session of the ILO, more than 40 heads of state and government, over 5000 delegates from 187 countries are gathering for two weeks to tackle the most pressing issues in the world of work. Dignitaries include French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.