Why ratifying Convention 190 is important?

By Annina Rautalahti

What is Convention number 190?

ILO’s Convention number 190 is Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019. It concerns the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. Everyone should have a possibility to work without being afraid of violence or harassment at the workplace. International Labour Organization (ILO) has given a strong and practical convention for its Member States. This means that there is a zero tolerance for actions that result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm. This is a clearly articulated international treaty that acknowledges that violence and harassment in the world of work affects a person’s psychological, physical and sexual health, dignity, and family and social environment.

Why it matters?

Once the Convention is adopted by the ILO General Conference, it is open for ratification by all Member States (187 countries). A Convention enters into force one year after two Member States have ratified it. Uruguay and Fiji are the first Member States that have ratified the Convention and hereby it enters force in June 25, 2021. When the Member State ratifies the convention, it has to adapt its national legislation to meet the level of the Convention provisions, and then implement them at the national level.

What can you do?

We at the Kota Alliance want to endorse this convention and advocate all the Member Countries to ratify the convention concerning the elimination of the violence and harassment in the world of work. We want to share the culture of dignity and respect. We can all show support in advancing the universal ratification of Convention 190.