Solidarity message in support of the Philippines’ Ratify C190 campaign in Congress
By Mr Khalid Hassan, Director, ILO Country Office for the Philippines at the Philippines’ Ratify C190 campaign in Congress, 28 November 2022, Manila, Philippines
- Honourable members of the House of Representatives;
- Partners from government, employers’ and workers’ organizations;
- C190 advocates, ladies and gentlemen, magandang hapon (good afternoon)!
Permit me to recognize this independent network initiative of current and former parliamentarians and advocates to Ratify C190 led by Congresswoman Brosas and the Gabriela Women’s Party.
We are on day four of a 16-day activism to end violence against women. The campaign in the Philippines lasts for 18 days.
Your presence and all these actions show your commitment to end violence and harassment. This is also evident in the gender equality and anti-violence laws in the Philippines.
Violence and harassment at work, as our new ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo said, is the most widespread human rights violation or abuse in the world. It damages lives and livelihoods.
Violence and harassment are unacceptable. It impairs human dignity and entails a high cost on families, businesses and societies, including public expenditures.
The Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), known as ILO Convention 190 or C190, is the first-ever international treaty on violence and harassment in the world of work.
C190 adopts an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach. It protects those in all sectors, in the formal and informal economy,
and in urban or rural areas.
C190 is crucial to achieve decent work and a human-centred recovery that leaves no one behind, where everyone must be safe.
Some groups such as women, Overseas Filipino Workers, persons with disability, LGBTQIA+ and workers in vulnerable situations may be disproportionately affected.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), workers and employers have all taken important steps toward ratifying C190. This included a joint statement from workers and employers so that workplaces, whether at home or in the site are free from violence and harassment.
Nobody should live in fear. C190 recognizes the right for all to a working environment free from violence and harassment.
We count on you to support the ratification of C190, make that right a reality, and ensure a life of dignity and respect for all.
Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much)!