THE government is now eyeing to ratify the convention 190 (C190) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which aims to prevent workplace violence and harassment, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Labor Undersecretary Benjo M. Benavidez told the BusinessMirror they have started the “preparatory activities” for the said “long process.”
Benavidez said they are now conducting consultations to evaluate a “gap analysis” on the government’s policies and laws with regards to C190 and also get “concurrence of support of pertinent government agencies” on the said initiative.
Consultations
DOLE Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said there’s already a technical working committee to initiate measures for the ratification of the C190.
Trayvilla noted the said initiatives include an online forum to be organized by the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) on Friday, which will have representatives from employers association, labor groups and the academe.
“We have also collaborated with ILO Manila, UN [United Nation] Women and the UP Cifal [Centro Internacional de Formación para Autoridades y Lideres] for this,” Trayvilla told the BusinessMirror.
The labor official explained the output of the forum will be used for the supporting documents, which they expect to complete and submit to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) within the year for the ratification of C190.
Trayvilla explained that the country’s ratification of C190 will serve as “a mantle of additional and enhanced protection of Filipino workers, locally and overseas.”
“Particularly on migration where a large proportion of domestic workers are women who are disproportionately affected by violence and harassment,” Trayvilla told the BusinessMirror.
Protection
DOLE issued the statement as the labor sector called for an end to sexual harassment in the employment, education and training environment, online, and public spaces.
In a statement, Associated Labor Unions (ALU) National Executive Vice President Gerard R. Seno expressed alarm over the continuing gender-based violence in workplaces especially during the 80-day lockdown.
“Gender-responsive approach needs to be fully integrated in the government’s Covid-19 response,” Seno said.
For her part, ALU National Vice President and Women Chairman Eva Arcos urged the labor department “to enhance its monitoring facets and disclose their inspection findings” on the implementation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act and the Safe Spaces Act.
ALU also called for government to ratify the C190.
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