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On 21 June, we mark the 2019 adoption of ILO Convention no. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work and
Recommendation no. 206. This year, the ITUC calls upon trade unions, employers and governments to be galvanised by these
key, democratic workplace rights.
These landmark legal instruments represent a historic moment in the global effort to ensure safe, dignified and
respectful working conditions for all working people.
C190 is the first international treaty to recognise the right of every person to a world of work free from violence and
harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. It underscores the crucial role of a safe working
environment in achieving equality, dignity and opportunities for all workers, regardless of their status or the sector
they work in.
An end to violence and harassment in the world of work is also central to the ITUC’s campaign For Democracy in the
workplace, at both national and global levels.
Over the past five years, there has been significant progress towards the implementation of C190. Many countries have
taken steps to ratify and align their national laws and policies with the convention’s provisions, reflecting a growing
recognition of the need to protect workers from violence and harassment.
Freedom of association and collective bargaining have been key in bringing the provisions of C190 to workplaces. This
ITUC report features examples of trade unions that have mobilised in extraordinary ways by campaigning, advocating, and
lobbying for the ratification and implementation of these ground-breaking standards.
Using the provisions of C190 and R206, they have negotiated policies and collective bargaining agreements, resulting in
tangible improvements towards eradicating violence and harassment in the world of work.
However, there is much work to be done. Violence and harassment at work persist and affect millions of workers
worldwide, particularly women, migrants, and those in precarious employment. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these
challenges, highlighting the urgent need for robust protections and comprehensive enforcement mechanisms.
ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said: “The ITUC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the full realisation of the
principles enshrined in C190. We call upon all governments to ratify and implement the Convention without delay.
“We urge employers to adopt zero-tolerance policies towards violence and harassment and to foster a culture of respect
and dignity in the workplace. The role of independent trade unions is indispensable in this. They must be empowered by
democratic, trade unions rights in the workplace, to allow them to advocate for working environments that are safe,
respectful and equitable.
“We honour the courage and resilience of workers, particularly women workers, who have endured and continue to face
violence and harassment. Their experiences and voices have been instrumental in bringing about this convention and its
implementation on the ground. Let us continue to work together – governments, employers, workers, and trade unions – to
build a future of work where every individual can thrive in an environment free from violence, and harassment.”