As the world marked this year’s International Women’s Day Sunday, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have asked the federal government to ratify and domesticate the Convention 190.
Convention 190 is concerned with elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work and was adopted by the ILO during her centenary celebration, June 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Speaking at a media round table discussion with stakeholders Sunday, organised by NLC women commission, ILO Country Director, Denis Zulu, said the convention is key to improving the lives of workers in work place.
Represented by David Dorkeno, the ILO country director said: “People’s idea goes to the fact that the C190 is there to protect women, but it is not only women, it is also there to protect the men because the man can also be harassed.
“The convention is defined as the system 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.”
Also speaking, the General Secretary NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugbuaja expressed hope that the C190 came at a time that what they have at the front burner is the C190 convention that has to do with violence and harassment in the world.
He added that the C190 come at the right time. “It is important that Nigeria takes center stage. Nigeria was one of the countries that voted to have this in place at the centenary celebration of the ILO, Ugbuaja said.
”So, coming home, we need to bring it back home. We need to push now before it will be domesticated and for it to be rectified.
”There are moves to have the law reform take place, using the tripartite working relationship. So if we are at the verge of having fresh laws or having our laws reformed, it would be very wonderful if this is keyed in.”
On her part, the chair person, NLC women commission, Comrade Mercy Okezie, described C190 as a fourth generational document, adding that the importance of its ratification is to help women appreciate and know who they are as well as be more productive at work places.
Okezie further tasked federal government on the need to speedily ratify the document, stating 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.”
