A local rights group has urged the government to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190 (C190) to prevent and address violence and harassment in the workplaces.
The Centenary International Labour Conference (ILC), held in June last, adopted the new convention with a recommendation that for the first time defined violence and harassment, and recognised the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment to specifically address the gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH).
Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation (SGSF), an affiliate of IndustriAll, in a letter to the prime minister on December 09 made the appeal.
"We urge the government to continue its leadership in ending GBVH in the world of work, as demonstrated by its vote in support of C190 at the ILC by ratifying and implementing it as soon as possible," SGSF president Nazma Akter said in the letter.
By ratifying the convention, Bangladesh will demonstrate its continued commitment to ending GBVH in the world of work as well as contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals on gender equality and decent work, the letter reads.
"We believe the ratification and implementation of the C190 will improve the lives of millions of workers of Bangladesh," it added.
The convention reflected the changing ways that the work is performed covering the worksite, work related trips, communication and commuting to and from the work.
It also recognised how the work is organised today by including all workers irrespective of their contractual status and informal workers.
In addition, the C190 affirmed that all workers have the right to be treated with dignity and respect the job which can only be achieved through a world of work that is free from violence and harassment including GBVH, it added.
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