EESC welcomes the adoption by the International Labour Conference of two new instruments to combat violence and harassment at work

The European Economic and Social Committee welcomes the decision taken on 21 June 2019, at the centenary International Labour Conference, to adopt two new instruments - a convention and a recommendation - to combat violence and harassment at work.

EESC President Luca Jahier with Vice-Presidents Milena Angelova and Isabel Caño Aguilar underline the importance of this decision, recalling that the European Economic and Social Committee had already adopted a new Regulation and a Code of Conduct for members at the plenary session of the Committee on February 20, 2019.

The adoption by the EESC of an instrument, which took into account the issue of the safe workplace and instruments to combat harassment at work, is proof of the EESC's commitment to respecting human rights.

Like the ILO Convention, in affirming the principle of respect for dignity in the workplace, President Luca Jahier and Vice-Presidents Milena Angelova and Isabel Caño Aguilar recall that the EESC as the house of civil society has established fundamental and effective instruments to guarantee rigorous compliance with ethical standards, non-discrimination, equal opportunities and respect for dignity in the workplace, particularly in relation to prevention and the fight against all forms of harassment. An Advisory Committee will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the principles of this Code of Conduct.

 

 As a reminder:

The Convention on Violence and Harassment and the Recommendation on Violence and Harassment were adopted by delegates on the final day of the 100th International Labour Conference in Geneva on 21.06.2019. The Convention received 439 votes in favour, 7 against and 30 abstentions. The Recommendation was adopted with 397 votes in favour, 12 against and 44 abstentions.

In 2019, the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations agency that deals with issues related to the world of work, celebrates its 100th year of existence. The International Labour Conference at its 109th session in Geneva on 21.06.2019 adopted these two new instruments (a convention and a recommendation) to combat violence at work.

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