We, APWLD, signify our unwavering commitment to ending violence and harassment in workplaces, as it endangers women workers’ rights and collective struggles. It has been five years since the convention was adopted on June 21 at the International Labour Conference (ILC), where over 150 states collectively recommended the ratification and implementation of the convention.
On this same day, we, as a feminist alliance together with activists, workers, and unions from Asia and the Pacific, honor the historical and ongoing struggles of women workers worldwide as they defend their rights to a safe workplace. We call for states to ratify Convention 190 of the International Labor Organization (ILO). In the Asia and the Pacific region, only Fiji, Samoa, the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan have officially approved the convention to date. Implementation on the ground is yet even a different story. As such, significant challenges remain and feminists, human rights advocates, labour organisers and activists continue to work tirelessly to establish legal protective measures by pushing for the convention’s ratification and integration into national legal frameworks.
We strongly urge states to ratify and immediately implement C190. This will help address the widespread violence and harassment that women workers encounter across the region and help facilitate. women’s enjoyment of labour rights and access to justice in formal and informal work settings.
The deeply entrenched stronghold of patriarchy denies women access to justice, remedy and accountability. Women endure not only victimisation through acts of violence, but also victim blaming.
Neoliberal globalisation has worsened the plight of women, with women’s labour consistently being undervalued, underpaid and even unpaid, Women also often endure serious sexual violence in the workplace and those who dare fight are denied of opportunities, excluded from future employment. Because the workplace culture often turns a blind eye to gender-based violence and harassment, and frequently protects the perpetrators from facing consequences, many women are afraid to speak up or seek help because they fear losing their jobs. Those who dare fight, however, are criminalised and/or terrorised.
We believe that the ratification of C190 will help mitigate the exploitation and abuse of women workers and is just a tiny part of the protection and justice that women workers deserve. We strongly urge states to immediately ratify C190 and enact corresponding national laws and policies, including those concerning occupational safety and health, equality, non-discrimination and migration. States should also ensure that businesses and labour unions integrate the provisions of ILO Convention No. 190 into their pertinent documents, such as Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) between trade unions and corporations, establishing anti-harassment committees, and creating an independent mechanism for addressing any forms of harassment and violence in workplaces.
