Uruguay is first to ratify ILO convention on violence and harassment

BWI lauded Uruguay for being the first country to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), a year after it was adopted by the ILO.  BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson called it an important step towards the elimination of gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work. 

On 12 June, Ricardo González Arenas, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations in Geneva, deposited the instrument of ratification with ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, in a virtual ceremony.

“This is certainly a most welcome development amidst a pandemic that is exacerbating violence against women and deepening existing inequalities. We hope that Uruguay’s ratification of the ILO Convention 190 will inspire other countries to follow suit,” Yuson said. 

BWI has been committed to the development of the convention addressing violence and harassment in the world of work and campaigned extensively for its adoption at the ILO. Two countries need to ratify the Convention for it to come into force. It is likely that this will be achieved soon as the Fijian parliament recently announced it will ratify the convention. Campaign work continues at BWI to support affiliates to champion ratification in their countries to achieve safer workplaces where the wellbeing of workers is protected.