By Appolos Christian
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to ratify and domesticate the ILO Convention 190 to eliminate violence and harassment in the place of work.
ILO Convention 190 was adopted in June 21st 2019 during it’s centenary celebration.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday during an NLC Women Commission Media Roundtable Discussion in Abuja, the representative of ILO Country Director in Nigeria, David Dorkeno, stressed that convention contains very important positions which is aimed at improving the lives of workers.
“People idea goes to the fact that the C190 is there to protect women, but it’s not only women, it is also there to protect the men because the man can also be harassed.
“The Convention is defined as the convention that encompasses range of unacceptable behaviors or practices, that result in harming workers either physically, psychologically or in terms of sexual harassment.
“This convention most importantly is aimed to deal with sexual harassment.
“Issues of gender-based violence is very important and is adequately covered in this convention.
“Importance of the ratification, all the member countries of the ILO which is 187 currently, when they meet in Geneva, it takes majority of vote required for an international instrument to be adopted.
“This convention is adopted unanimously by both employers and workers and government”
Also speaking, the Chairperson NLC women commission, Comrade Mercy Okezie, described the C190 as a fourth generational document, stressed that its ratification would help women appreciate and know who they are and be more productive at work places.
She also urged the federal government to speedily ratify the document. She added that it would address the high rate of violence and harassment in work places especially amongst women, despite the many laws in existence.
“C190 is all encompassing, for us women leaders we know there is an instrument.
“For us to have decent work we must have decent body, decent work place and we must be treated with dignity we have to be respected. Its not a thing men and women should keep aside.
“It is important for the federal government to ratify this because it will address gender based harassment in the place of work. One unique thing about the C190 is that it recognises everyone in the work place including men, women, girls, boys, workers, and interns.
“It gives us the assurance and will fix existing gaps in national legislature. We must fight together to change the rules for a better world; decent work, equal work for equal pay, there must be an end to gender based violence.We need a change and the time is now.”
