NTUC supports the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Violence and Harassment as it covers all working people, regardless of employment relations, said NTUC President Mary Liew.
Voting for the convention was conducted during the 108th session of the International Labour Conference held from 10 to 21 June 2019, where member states gathered to discuss the Future of Work, including the evolving role of the ILO in building a future of work we want.
“This landmark Convention adopted at ILO’s Centenary is consistent with the Labour Movement’s principles of creating a safe workplace for our workers, free from violence and harassment.” added Ms Liew
The convention becomes legally binding after a country chooses to ratify it.
The ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment aims to protect workers and employees, irrespective of their contractual status. This includes persons in training, interns and apprentices, workers whose employment have been terminated, volunteers, job seekers and job applicants.
Under the provision of the convention, one of the requirements will be for Singapore to adopt laws and regulations to make it compulsory for all companies to have a workplace policy on violence and harassment. It is currently not mandatory for companies to do so.
Ms Liew said: “We take a serious view of the well-being of our workers and would like to urge workers who experience any workplace harassment to promptly seek redress under the Protection from Harassment Act or through unions [for union members], TAFEP [Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices] or MOM.”
NTUC has also been training union leaders to handle workplace harassment. It recently made available a workplace policy, for companies to work through our unions to adapt and implement.
NTUC also urged more employers to adopt the Tripartite Standards of Grievance Handling, which specify clear and effective processes to manage workplace grievances.
“It is important for us to continue our discussions and further our work with the tripartite partners, to ensure a safe and violence-free workplace for all. We recognise the need to work together to gain better clarity on the requirements of the convention. This is so we can ensure that we are able to abide by both spirit and letter of the law.” added Ms Liew.
This year, the ILO celebrates its centenary since its founding in 1919. As the only tripartite United Nations agency, the ILO and its tripartite constituents celebrate this milestone in its storied history of bringing together worker organisations, employer organisations and governments of its member states to set labour standards in the shaping of a future of work.
“The work that is done at ILO is both necessary and meaningful. There is no other similar set up that brings together delegates from around the world with the singular purpose and mission to discuss ways to better protect our workers and ensure that they are ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow. My deep appreciation to the ILO’s Tripartite Constituents and heartiest congratulations once again to ILO on its centenary,” shared Ms Liew.
