The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) welcomes ILO’s Convention and Recommendation to tackle violence and harassment in workplace. ITF supported that the lives of ITF union members, and in particular women transport workers, will be improved as a direct result.
Specifically, ITF participated at the ILC that consisted of Valérie Latron from France and Lisa Kelly from Canada and was led by Claire Clarke and Neha Prakash from ITF women. Ekaterina Yordanova from Bulgaria, a member of the standard-setting committee on violence and harassment in the world of work, and a key player in the negotiations between the EU-28 and the workers’ group, and Kalthoum Barkallah from Tunis attended the ILC as part of their national delegations.
In addition, ITF’s Chair of women transport workers’ committee Diana Holland, along with ITF women’s Jodi Evans, was part of the experts group and earlier discussions that laid the foundations for this achievement.
Ms Holland stated
This historic new global standard must mean action to end and prevent violence and harassment in the world of work.
Moreover, ITF noted that the adoption of the Convention follows a two-year process, based on discussions and ITF’s campaigns, which saw ITF unions to take action, raising awareness and providing evidence on the violence women face in the maritime sector.
All trade unions, governments and employers must now work together to make this a reality. I congratulate ITF women and the ITF women transport workers’ committee for their hard work that led to this victory today.
Mr Holland commented that ILO’s Convention reflects everyone’s right to work in an environment free of violence and harassment, applying in all sectors, either it is in the formal and informal economy, or even in urban and rural areas.
ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton, who was present at the ILC,m during the voting procedures, added
We have had a momentous two weeks at the ILO centenary. The convention against violence displayed just how much violence and harassment can be a barrier, particularly for women, to access and advance in the labour market. It is a historic new international law that provides a strong foundation to ensure that employment is based on safe and decent work, where no worker is left unprotected.
